The Giant Triton

<p>The giant triton (<em>Charonia tritonis</em><u>)</u> is <span style=color: rgba(56 56 56 1)>a beautiful shell and a well-known predator of the crown-of-thorns starfish (</span><em style=color: rgba(56 56 56 1)>Acanthaster planci</em><span style=color: rgba(56 56 56 1)>). In many parts of the third world it is still being collected in large numbers and sold to tourists as ornaments. As you admire the beautiful shell spare a thought for the hungry mollusc that died. And don't forget they live on starfish.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=color: rgba(56 56 56 1)>Many species of starfish are known to outbreak in different parts of the world. Prior to human collection the giant triton might have controlled starfish numbers not by eating the many but by preventing the aggregation that precedes the outbreak. At present little is known of any aspect of the triton's ecology despite its obvious importance in controlling starfish numbers.</span></p><p><br></p><p>While the giant triton may be protected on the Great Barrier Reef and elsewhere in Queensland there is still no evidence this protection has resulted in restored populations of the giant triton. However there is evidence of continuing illegal collection and trade in Indonesia where it is also legally protected. It is now worth reconsidering whether the existing local protection is sufficient or whether further international protection is required by <span style=color: rgba(51 51 50 1)>listing the Giant Triton in Appendix 2 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).</span></p>