Abstract
Abstract Exposure to wave action has been shown to influence the morphology of a number of intertidal gastropods. This study is concerned with the morphology of the sub-littoral gastropod Gibbula cineraria. Individuals were collected from sites adjacent to Lough Hyne in SW Ireland. Sites were located along a gradient of wave exposure ranging from a headland exposed to the Atlantic along the channel into the fully sheltered sea laugh. Four shell characters, soft body weight and foot muscle weight were recorded for each individual. All the measured characteristics, except shell size, differed significantly (ANOVA) between sites. Between site 1, exposed to the Atlantic, and site 5 shell morphology and foot weight showed a graded variation which corresponded to the environmental cline in wave action. The highest relative foot weight, largest relative aperture size and shortest, broadest, shells occurred at the most exposed site. These patterns are in agreement with those observed in intertidal species. Howeve...
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
