Abstract

The spiral patterns of snail shells exhibit chirality, or “handedness.” These patterns often heavily favor the dextral (right-handed, or clockwise) over the sinistral (left-handed, clockwise) phenotype. While the developmental pathways resulting in each enantiomorph (non-superimposable mirror image form) have been studied extensively, there has been limited investigation into how the emphasis on one spiral direction over the other may confer survival benefit. This perspective essay proposes that developmental events determining cell cleavage robustness, mating compatibility, and predator evasion can influence the distribution of dextral and sinistral snails. The connection between chirality and survivability has broader implications for exploring the role of handedness in diseases and their treatments.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.