BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 February 2012 Morphology of Elimia livescens (Mollusca: Pleuroceridae) in Indiana, U.S.A. Covaries with Environmental Variation
Ashley Dunithan, Stephen Jacquemin, Mark Pyron
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

We examined covariation of morphology with local and regional environmental variables in the widespread North American freshwater gastropod Elimia livescens (Menke, 1830). Geometric morphometrics was used to quantify shape of individuals collected at sites in Indiana, U.S.A. We used the Procrustes superimposition method and relative warp analysis to examine variation among individuals. We found that shape of E. livescens covaried significantly with flowing versus non-flowing habitats, drainage area, latitude and longitude, water temperature, conductivity, substrate type, and the presence of woody debris. Individuals with smaller apertures and streamlined shape occurred in smaller watersheds in the southeastern regions of Indiana, and in local habitats with low water flow, low conductivity, large, coarse substrate (rip-rap), low frequency of woody debris, and higher dissolved oxygen. We suggest that morphological variation is an integral part in maintaining a wide distribution and maximizing local success for an aquatic gastropod that occurs in a variety of environments.

Ashley Dunithan, Stephen Jacquemin, and Mark Pyron "Morphology of Elimia livescens (Mollusca: Pleuroceridae) in Indiana, U.S.A. Covaries with Environmental Variation," American Malacological Bulletin 30(1), 127-133, (1 February 2012). https://doi.org/10.4003/006.030.0110
Received: 11 February 2011; Accepted: 1 July 2011; Published: 1 February 2012
KEYWORDS
freshwater gastropod
morphological variation
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top