Variation in body colour in western Irish populations of Cepaea nemoralis (L.) |
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Authors: | D P T BURKE |
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Institution: | Department of Zoology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX |
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Abstract: | Samples of Cepaea nemoralis (L.) taken from sand-dune, lowland and mountain populations show differences in body colour. Overall, sand-dune populations are much paler than those in the other two areas. On sand-dunes, darker and more variable populations are found in densely vegetated habitats; in the lowland, darker forms occur further inland but there is no correlation with vegetation; mountain populations are darker and less variable on north- than south-facing slopes. Overall differences between areas can be ascribed to climatic selection and differences in variation within areas to niche width. |
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Keywords: | Cepaea nemoralis Irish sand-dune lowland mountain climatic selection |
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