EDIBLE SHELLFISH OF THE CHILEAN COAST 283 



GASTROPODA 



LOCO, Concholepas concholepas Brug. 1789. Gastropoda of eco- 

 nomic importance attaining great size; 33 tons were utilized in 1951 

 and canned in three ways: in oil, special brand, and "au naturel." It 

 is hand picked in the intertidal zone or by divers with or without div- 

 ing equipment. The principal fishing centres are Los Vilos, Quintero, 

 Valparaiso and Puerto Montt. The mollusc's powerful foot is consumed 

 tenderized by beating together with salt or with sawdust before cook- 

 ing. It is processed in the region of Calbuco and Puerto Montt. 



Other gastropods of popular demand are: 



CARACOL GRANDE DE ESPUELA (Chorus), Chorus giganteus 

 Less., 1829. Found originally in Concepcion; its area of distribution 

 extends up to the bay of Valparaiso (Riveros-Ziiiiiga, 1950) ; caught in 

 traps baited with fish or crustacean wastes; eaten cooked; taste resem- 

 bling that of Coyicholepas concholepas. 



CARACOLES (Top-shells). Under this name are consumed some 

 edible species of the genera Tegiila, such as T. atra Less., 1830, the 

 MELONHUE of the Chiloe zone; T. tridentata Potiez et Michaud, 1838; 

 T. quadricostata Gray, 1838; Acanthina calcar Martyn (Unicorn-shell), 

 1784 and Turbo (Prisogaster) niger (Turbine-shell) Wood, 1828, 

 known as LILIHUEN. Not processed, but sought after by the fishermen 

 to be eaten cooked. 



Fissurella (Keyhole limpets). Abundant gastropods whose tasteful 

 foot is frequently consumed fresh. Also called CHAP AS or CHAPES. 

 The most used species are F. maxima Sow., 1834; F. picta Lamk, 1822; 

 F. crassa Lamk, 1822; F. limbata Sow., 1834; F. latemarginata Sow., 

 1834; (Riveros-Zufiiga, 1951). Area of distribution generally very ex- 

 tensive. Abundant in the intertidal zone on the bare rocks or on those 

 covered by algae. 



Patella, Nacella, Scurria, Siphonaria (Limpets) are genera whose 

 species are sought as food and called LAPAS, a name which is applied 

 in general to mollusks with conical shell which adhere strongly to the 

 rocks or other supports. Some species utilized are Patella magellanica 

 Gmelin, 1791; Nacella clypeater Less., 1830; Scurria scurra Less., 1830; 

 and Siphonaria (Liriola) lessoni Blainville, 1824. 



Thais chocolata Duclos, 1832, (Thais) is found from Paita in Peru, 

 where it is called CARACOL, to Valparaiso. In Coquimbo and vicinity 

 it is known as LOCATE or LOCA because of its resemblance in taste to 

 the Concholepas concholepas. Fished by divers and very well liked. 



PIQUILHUE (Volutes) Adelomelon magellanicus Lamk, 1811 and 

 A. ancilla Sow., 1786, are the species consumed in the region of Chiloe. 



