Abstract
A natural population of the aquatic snail Physa heterostropha was studied in an area where the snails were exposed to chronic environmental radiation of approximately 0.65 rad/day. Fecundity levels of the irradiated population and a control population were compared in the field and in the laboratory. When compared to the control population, the frequency of egg capsule production in the irradiated population was reduced. However, egg production by both populations was similar because the irradiated population produced an increased number of eggs per capsule. The increased number of eggs per capsule was possibly a compensation for the reduced capsule production and was brought about by natural selection.
Published Version
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