Title

The Relationship Between Shell Morphology and Microhabitat Flow in the Endemic Hawaiian Stream Limpet (Hihiwai), Neritina Granosa (Prosobranchia: Neritidae)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1993

Publication Source

Pacific Science

Abstract

Neritina granosa has three shell morphologies: conic (smooth, narrow shell), intermediate (rugose, narrow shell), and winged (flattened, rugose, and flared shell margin). Winged morphs represented 82% of the population at the mouth below the terminal waterfall. At sites above the falls, conic and intermediate morphs dominated. Limpets from the mouth had significantly lower shell-length/shell-width and body-weight/shell-weight ratios and occurred in areas of lower benthic and surface velocities than upstream populations. Because field orientation of the three shell morphs is unpredictable, microhabitat flow apparently has little or no effect on the phenotypic expression of shell morphology. The transition between winged and conic/intermediate morphs in upstream populations is restricted by bioenergetic constraints on the partitioning of energy between the competing demands of shell and tissue growth.

ISBN/ISSN

ISSN: 0030-8870; E-ISSN: 1534-6188

Publisher

University of Hawaii Press

Volume

47

Peer Reviewed

yes

Issue

3

Link to Full Text

COinS