Gastropod found in American sausage, reportedly (7)

I believe the answer is:

abalone

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'gastropod' is the definition.
(abalone is a kind of gastropod)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for abalone that I've seen before include "Mother-of-pearl could have come from" , "Ear-shaped shell" , "Edible mollusc - on a bale (anag)" , "sea mollusc" , "Edible marine mollusc -- Oban ale (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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