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The extinction of cone snails—and their venom—could mean the loss a yet-undiscovered reservoir of pharmaceuticals.

Cone snails live in warm tropical seas and manufacture powerful venom to immobilize their prey of fish, worms, and other snails. Scientists are increasingly using these neurotoxins for research into the development of life-saving drugs.

Across the world, however, tropical marine habitats are being lost due to coastal development, pollution, destructive fishing, and climate change, resulting in rapid species loss.

A new global assessment of all 632 species of cone snails for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List by researchers from the Environment Department at the University of York—the first for any group of marine snails—finds that some species are at imminent risk of extinction.

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Research, published this week in PLOS ONE, disproves the notion that the vastness of the oceans assures the survival of marine species. It reveals clusters of species occupying small areas that could quickly disappear as threats escalate.

Due to their beautiful and coveted shells, people have been collecting cone snails for hundreds, possibly thousands of years—cone shells have been found in ancient Neolithic sites and there is a Rembrandt etching of a cone shell from 1650.

Rare specimens change hands for thousands of dollars, a popularity which brings welcome income to thousands of poor people who hunt for shells for sale to dealers and tourists.

More importantly, during their evolution, cone snails have developed complex venoms, some powerful enough to kill people. Scientists are now using these for research into novel drugs for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of pernicious medical conditions including intense chronic pain, epilepsy, asthma, and multiple sclerosis.

“Cone snails are seeing rapid shrinkage of their habitats as human impacts multiply,” says lead author Howard Peters of the environment department at the University York.

“We found that 67 species are currently threatened or near-threatened with extinction worldwide, but this rises to nearly half of all species (42) in the Eastern Atlantic, where there is an extraordinary concentration of range-restricted species. “In Cape Verde, 53 species are found nowhere else in the world, of which 43 live only around single islands. Here, pollution and shoreline construction for the expanding tourist industry threaten their existence.

“Sand is being dredged from the shallows where cone snails live to make concrete for resorts, harbors, and cruise liner terminals. Collection of shells by divers and snorkelers could hasten their demise.”

Protecting cone snails

The study found an almost complete lack of protection for cone snails anywhere in the world.

Howard Peters says: “Despite their extraordinary beauty and value, cone snails have fallen completely underneath the conservation radar. These snails need swift action to protect their habitats and publicize the dire consequences of irresponsible shell collecting of the most threatened species. Holidaymakers need to think twice before taking a seashell home as a souvenir.”

Co-author Callum Roberts adds: “This study provides an important yardstick from which to measure our growing impact on mollusks, one of the richest groups in the sea, and the long-term consequences of ocean acidification.

“Ocean acidity is increasing due to fossil fuel burning as carbon dioxide dissolves in the sea. Without action to reduce emissions, rising acidity could cause shelled marine creatures to literally dissolve away by the end of this century.”

Source: University of York