We evaluated the radula shape of Littoraria angulifera from mangroves and rocky shores on the Brazilian coast. We compared snails sampled in a mangrove and on a rocky shore located about 100 m apart, and also from locations hundreds of km apart. Smaller individuals sampled on rocky shores have elongated cusps, whereas larger individuals have subequal cusps, similar to those observed in mangrove specimens. Distinct factors in each environment might exert different effects on the radula shape of L. angulifera. The greater morphological diversity observed on the rocky shores might be due to the heterogeneity of algae composition and partitioning of resources, a hypothesis that can be tested in further studies.
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1 January 2006
THE INFLUENCE OF SIZE ON THE RADULA OF LITTORARIA ANGULIFERA (GASTROPODA: LITTORINIDAE)
Sónia C. S. Andrade,
Vera N. Solferini
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Malacologia
Vol. 49 • No. 1
January 2006
Vol. 49 • No. 1
January 2006
Littoraria angulifera
mangroves
phenotypic variation
radula
rock substratum