Charonia

Charonia is a genus of large predatory marine gastropods in the family Charoniidae, commonly called tritons or trumpet shells.

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Gastropoda: Gastropoda is the mollusk class that includes snails and slugs, with or without external shells. Charonia belongs to this diverse class of mollusks.
Conch shell horn: A conch shell horn is a wind instrument made by blowing through a shell opening. Large Charonia shells can be adapted as powerful horns.
Charonia tritonis: Charonia tritonis is a large Indo-Pacific sea snail known as the giant triton. It is the best-known species and a major predator of crown-of-thorns starfish.
Crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak: A crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak is a rapid increase in starfish abundance that can damage coral reefs. Predation by giant tritons is often discussed in relation to these reef disturbances.
Charoniidae: Charoniidae is a family of large marine gastropods that includes the triton snails. This family contains Charonia and closely related genera.
Shell money: Shell money is currency or a medium of exchange made from shells or shell pieces. Triton shells have served as valuable objects in some island societies.
Charonia lampas: Charonia lampas is a large triton snail found in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean region. Its distribution illustrates the genus's presence beyond the Indo-Pacific.
Overfishing: Overfishing occurs when fishing removes organisms faster than populations can replenish them. Collection of large tritons can reduce local populations.
Gastropod shell: A gastropod shell is a hard external structure, usually coiled, secreted by the mantle. Its robust, often ornamented shell gives Charonia its trumpet-shell name.
Seashell collecting: Seashell collecting is the gathering and study of mollusk shells, often as a hobby or scientific practice. Large, sculptural Charonia shells are prized by collectors.