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abalone
(redirected from abalones)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
abalone (ăbəlō`nē), popular name in the United States for a univalve gastropod gastropod, member of the class Gastropoda, the largest and most successful class of mollusks (phylum Mollusca ), containing over 35,000 living species and 15,000 fossil forms.
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 mollusk of the genus Haliotis, members of which are also called ear shells, or sea ears, as their shape resembles the human ear. The shell provides a rooflike covering for the abalone and is perforated by a row of holes on one side through which the animal respires. The iridescent mother-of-pearl shell lining is used to make buttons and other articles. Before protective legislation was enacted, much of the dried flesh and some shells were exported to Asia. Abalone are classified in the phylum Mollusca Mollusca (məlŭs`kə)
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, class Gastropoda, order Archeogastropoda, family Haliotidae.

abalone

Enlarge picture
Abalone (Haliotis)
(credit: Jacques Six)
Any of several marine snail species (genus Haliotis, family Haliotidae), found in warm seas worldwide. The outer surface of the single shell has a row of small holes, most of which fill in as the animal grows; some remain open as outlets for waste products. Abalones range from 4 to 10 in. (10–25 cm) across and up to 3 in. (8 cm) deep. The largest is the 12 in. (30 cm) abalone (H. rufescens). The shell's lustrous, iridescent interior is used in ornaments, and the large muscular foot is eaten as a delicacy. Commercial abalone fisheries exist in California, Mexico, Japan, and South Africa.


abalone
any of various edible marine gastropod molluscs of the genus Haliotis, having an ear-shaped shell that is perforated with a row of respiratory holes. The shells are used for ornament or decoration

abalone [‚ab·ə′lō·nē]
(invertebrate zoology)
A gastropod mollusk composing the single genusHaliotisof the family Haliotidae. Also known as ear shell; ormer; paua.


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