Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Shell parameters in relation to zonation in mediterranean limpets

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The relation of shell form to habitat in the Mediterranean limpets Patella caerulea (L.) and P. lusitanica (Gmelin) was investigated. P. caerulea shells were significantly longer, broader, but lower in height than P. lusitanica shells. The regression of the ratio (length plus breadth)/2 on the height of the shell was found to characterize the two limpet populations, with a small degree of overlap reflecting the distribution of the two limpets on the shore.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Abe, N.: The colony of the limpet (Acmaea dorsuosa Gould). Scient. Rep. Tôhoku imp. Univ. (Ser. IV, Biol.) 12, 169–187 (1932)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bannister, J.V.: Some adaptational differences in the limpets Patella caerulea and Patella lusitanica in relation to zonation, 105 pp. Malta: University Press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Croxton, F.E.: Elementary statistics with application in medicine and the biological sciences, 376 pp. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1953

    Google Scholar 

  • D'Arcy Thompson, W.: On growth and form, 254 pp. London: Cambridge University Press 1952

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies, P.S.: Physiological ecology of Patella. III. Desiccation effects. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 49, 291–307 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer-Piette, E.: Systematique et biogeographie: les patelles d'Europe et d'Afrique du Nord. J. Conch., Paris 79, 5–66 (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  • — et J.M. Gaillard: Les patelles, au long des cotes atlantiques, iberiques et nord-marocaines. J. Conch., Paris 99, 135–200 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamai, I.: Some notes on relative growth with special reference to the growth of limpets. Scient. Rep. Tôhoku imp. Univ. (Ser. IV, Biol.) 12, 71–95 (1937)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatton, H.: Essais de bionomie explicative sur quelques especes inter-cotidales d'algues et d'animaux. Annls Inst. océanogr., Monacc 17, 241–348 (1938)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, H.B.: The relation of shell growth to environment in Patella vulgata. Proc. malac. Soc. Lond. 21, 217–222 (1934)

    Google Scholar 

  • Orton, J.H.: Observations on Patella vulgata. Part II. Rate of growth of shell. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 15, 863–874 (1928)

    Google Scholar 

  • — Observations on Patella vulgata. Part III. Habitat and habits. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 16, 277–288 (1929)

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, E.S.: Environmental studies on the limpet. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond. 1907, 856–870 (1907)

    Google Scholar 

  • Segal, E.: Microgeographic variation as thermal acclimation in an intertidal mollusc. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 111, 129–152 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Royal University of Malta, Msida, Malta

    J. V. Bannister

Authors
  1. J. V. Bannister
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by O. Kinne, Hamburg

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bannister, J.V. Shell parameters in relation to zonation in mediterranean limpets. Mar. Biol. 31, 63–67 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390648

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390648

Keywords

Search

Navigation