An experimental investigation of the behaviour and mortality of artificial and natural morphs of Cepaea nemoralis (L.)

Two population cage experiments which examined the mortality and behaviour of artificial and natural morphs of the landsnail C. nemoralis ( L .) are described. In the first experiment artificial 'morphs' were manufactured from one genetically homogeneous founder group of snails by painting the shells black or white. Differences in behaviour and mortality between these two 'morphs' were observed during the course of the experiment. Daylight and weather conditions were important in determining the activity patterns of the two types of snail.
In the second experiment naturally occurring brown and yellow colour morphs were used. These exhibited very similar behaviour patterns to those of their artificial 'mimics' and it is concluded that phenotype must play an important role in determining the behavioural responses of the snails to their environment. Thermal relationships are suggested as causal factors for the differences between the experimental morphs.