SREL Reprint #2081
GENETIC AND CONCHOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF SNAILS (HELIX ASPERSA) DIFFERING IN SHELL DEPOSITION OF LEAD
MARGARET MULVEY1, MICHAEL C. NEWMAN1 and ALAN N. BEEBY2
1University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, South Carolina,
29802 USA
2School of Applied Science, South Bank University, London SEI OAA, UK
ABSTRACT
Populations of snails inhabiting areas with different histories of Pb contamination
differed in their deposition of Pb in shell relative to soft tissues. Genetic variation,
measured using isozymes, was not related to Pb history nor geographic distance
between populations. Shell characteristics were significantly different among sites;
shell dry weight was strong y related to soil calcium levels. Shells of snails from
areas with long histories of Pb contamination were significantly more robust
(greater shell width/shell height ratio) than snails from other locations. H. aspersa
adaptation to Pb contamination may involve significant changes in shell
characteristics but these do not correlate with genetic traits assessed with
allozymes.
SREL Reprint #2081
Mulvey, M., M.C. Newman, and A.N. Beeby. 1996. Genetic and conchological comparison of snails (Helix aspersa) differing in shell deposition of lead. Journal of Molluscan Studies 62:213-223.
