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School of Biological Sciences

Publication abstract

Relationship between imposex and morphological variation of the shell in Nucella lapillus (Gastropoda : thaididae)

Authors: Son, MH., Hughes RN.,

Year of publication:2000

Journal: Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, , Volume: 50(5), Pages: 599-606.

Publisher: Academic Press Ltd

The relationship between imposer and shell morphology of the common dogwhelk, Nucella lapillus, was examined in populations from North Wales. Degree of imposer, morphometry of the shell, habitat-exposure to wave action and substratum type were subjected to multivariate statistical analyses. Shell size increased significantly with increasing degree of imposer. This trend possibly is caused by a diversion of energy allocation from reproduction to shell growth when reproductive effort is blocked or disturbed by imposer. (C) 2000 Academic Press.