Journal
HYDROBIOLOGIA
Volume 490, Issue 1-3, Pages 181-186Publisher
KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL
DOI: 10.1023/A:1023495326473
Keywords
prey value; molluscs; shells; predation; schistosomiasis
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Biomphalaria sudanica (intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni) were raised in the laboratory in media with seven different calcium concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 2.0 mmol/l. After 10 weeks, snails were killed and shell diameter, inorganic dry weight, ash free dry weight and crushing resistance were measured. Snails raised at lower calcium concentrations were found to be significantly smaller than snails raised at higher concentrations. Furthermore, relatively thinner shells were developed at low concentrations and crushing resistance relative to snail size was found to be lower for these snails. The ratio between crushing resistance and ash free dry weight (as a measure for the energetic cost/benefit-ratio) was also found to be correlated with calcium concentration. The relevance of the results for predation risk of B. sudanica is discussed.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available