Structural adaptation for reducing water-loss in three species of terrestrial snail |
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Authors: | John Machin |
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Institution: | Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto 5, Canada |
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Abstract: | Laboratory measurements indicate that observed differences in the rate of water-loss from inactive Helix aspersa, Otala lactea and Sphincterochila boissieri are due to morphological adaptations such as a thicker shell, reduced aperture and thicker epiphragm. These modifications enable terrestrial snails to inhabit dryer environments by increasing the length of time the snail can remain inactive. |
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