Abstract
Arianta arbustorum is a highly variable helieid snail found in Europe. We have studied biometrically its transition from low altitude where large dark phenotypes are typical, to higher altitudes in the Alps, where small light ones are found. Seven measurements and 10 colour characters were considered. Size varies with altitude while colours rather vary with habitats. Our observations on 5 alpine transects agree with those of previous authors who sampled other alpine areas. It indicates that the species' reaction to alpine conditions is general to large mountain regions. This provides a striking example of consistent variation. Previous authors claim that midland and alpine Arianta stem from different colonizing stocks. However, part of the variation found in the present study appears to be adaptive. Both interpretations can be reconciled.
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