abaláis

Abaláis refers to abalones, the edible mollusks in the family Haliotidae. These marine gastropods have a large, ear-shaped shell with a row of breathing openings along the outer curve and a nacreous, rainbow-colored interior. The muscular foot anchors the animal to rocky substrates, while the rest of the mantle tissue defines the shell margin. Abaláis feed mainly by scraping algae from rocks with a radula and play an important role in shallow coastal ecosystems.

They occur in temperate coastal waters around the world, with notable populations along the Pacific coasts of North America and East Asia, as well as in the Southern Hemisphere. They inhabit rocky shores from the intertidal zone to subtidal depths, preferring clean waters with abundant macroalgae.

Reproduction in abalones is typically gonochoric. Adults release eggs and sperm into the water column, and fertilized eggs develop into free-swimming larvae before settling as juveniles on rock surfaces. Most species reach sexual maturity after several years, and some populations show high site fidelity.

Humans harvest abaláis for meat, which is considered a delicacy in many regions, and for shells used in decorative inlays. Commercial abalone farming has grown in several countries, providing alternatives to wild stock.

Conservation concerns include overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate-related stress such as ocean warming and acidification. Some species are listed as threatened or endangered in certain regions. Management measures commonly include catch quotas, minimum size limits, seasonal closures, and aquaculture development to reduce pressure on wild populations.