Summary
Radiotracer and gravimetric techniques were used to investigate the effects of starvation, temperature, body size and food quality on both the ingestion rates and absorption efficiencies of A. fluviatilis (an algal grazer) and P. contortus (a detrivore which utilises the bacterial fraction of its food). In the face of food supply disturbance snails showed a considerable potential for adaptation. Both intestion rates and absorption efficiencies increased with starvation, and ingestion rate increased with reductions in food quality. Absorption efficiencies were independent of temperature and Q 10 values for absorption rates suggested that snails showed some acclimation to temperature disturbance. Food absorption was linearly related to body surface area but absorption efficiencies were to a large extent independent of age and size.
The above homeostases are discussed in terms of their contribution to fitness and also in terms of the possible underlying causal mechanisms. The implications of physiological homeostases for ecological efficiencies are also discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Avery, R.A.: Morphometric and functional studies on the stomach of the lizard, Lacerta vivipara. J. Zool. Lond. 169, 157–167 (1973)
Barnett, S.A.: Problems of food selection by rats. Anim. Behav. 1, 159 (1953)
Beukema, J.J.: Predation by the three-spined stickleback (Gasterostes soleatus L.). The influence of hunger and experience. Behaviour 31, 1–126 (1968)
Bott, T.L., Brock, T.D.: Growth and metabolism of peryphytic bacteria: methodology. Limnol. Oceanogr. 15, 333–342 (1970)
Brett, J.R.: Satiation time, appetite, and maximum food intake of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 28, 409–415 (1971)
Calow, P.: Studies on the natural diet of Lymnaea pereger obtusa (Kobelt) and its possible ecological implications. Proc. malacol. Soc. Lond. 39, 203–215 (1970)
Calow, P.: The structural and functional dynamics of selected species-populations of freshwater snails: towards a systems approach. Unpublished Ph. D. thesis, University of Leeds (1972)
Calow, P.: The food of Ancylus fluviatilis Müll., a littoral stone-dwelling, herbivore. Oecologia (Berl.) 13, 113–133 (1973a)
Calow, P.: The relationship between phenology, fecundity and logevity, a systems approach. Amer. Naturalist 107, 559–575 (1973b)
Calow, P.: On the regulatory nature of individual growth: some observations from freshwater snails. J. Zool. Lond. 170, 415–428 (1973c)
Calow, P.: Evidence for bacterial feeding in Planorbis contortus Linn. Proc. malacol. Soc. Lond. 4, 145–156 (1974a)
Calow, P.: Some observations on locomotory strategies and their metabolic effects in two species of freshwater gastropods, Ancylus fluviatilis Müll. and Planorbis contorlus Linn. Oecologia (Berl.) 16, 149–161 (1974b)
Calow, P.: Defaecation strategies of two freshwater gastropods, Ancylus fluviatilis Müll. and Planorbis contortus Linn. (Pulmonata), with a comparison of field and laboratory estimates of food absorption rate. Oecologia (Berl.) 20, 51–63 (1975a)
Calow, P.: On the nature and possible utility of epilithic detritus. Hydrobiologia (in press, 1975b)
Calow, P.: Length-dry weight relationships in snails: some explanatory hypotheses. Proc. malacol. Soc. Lond. (in press, 1975c)
Calow, P., Fletcher, C.R.: A new radiotracer technique involving 14C and 51Cr for estimating the assimilation efficiency of aquatic primary consumers. Oecologia (Berl.) 9, 155–170 (1972)
Carefoot, T.H.: Feeding, food preference, and the uptake of energy by the supralittoral isopod, Ligia pallasii. Mar. Biol. 18, 228–236 (1973)
Carriker, M.R.: Observations on the functioning of the alimentary system of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis appressa Say. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 91, 88–111 (1946)
Chlodny, J., Gromadzka, J., Trofan, P.: Energetic budget of development of the colorado beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. (Coleoptera, Chrysmomelidae). Bull. Acad. pol. Sci. Ch. II, Scr. Sci. biol. 15, 743–747 (1967)
Conover, R.J.: Factors affecting the assimilation of organic matter by zooplankton and the question of superfluous feeding. Limnol. Oceanogr. 11, 346–354 (1966)
Conover, R.J.: Zooplankton-life in a nutrionally dilute environment. Amer. Zool. 8, 107–118 (1968)
Cross, C., Bevan, E.: Cellulose, 320 p. London: Longmans 1911
Cruikshank, R.: Medical microbiology, 1067 p. Edinburgh-London: Livingstone 1965
Dinius, D.A., Baumgardt, B.R.: Regulation of food intake in ruminants. 6. Influence of caloric density of pelleted rations. J. Dairy Sci. 53, 311–316 (1970)
Dunger, W.: Zersetzung der Laubstreu durch die Boden-Makrofauna im Auenwald. Zool. Jb. Abt. System., Ökol. u. Geogr. 86, 139–180 (1958)
Emlen, J.M.: Ecology: An evolutionary approach, 493 p. Massachusetts, California-London-Ontario: Addison-Wesley 1973
Engelman, M.D.: Energetics, terrestrial field studies and animal productivity. Advanc. ecol. Res. 3, 73–115 (1966)
Gelperin, A.: Regulation of feeding. Annual Rev. Ent. 16, 365–378 (1971)
Gere, G.: The examination of the feeding biology and humifactive function of Diplopoda and Isopoda. Acta biol. Acad. Sci. hung. 6, 257–271 (1956)
Hargrave, B.T.: The use of benthic microflora by Hyalella azteca (Amphipoda). J. Anim. Ecol. 39, 427–437 (1970)
Holling, C.S.: The functional response of invertebrate predators to prey density. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can. 48, 1–86 (1966)
Hubbel, S.P.: Of sowbugs and systems: the ecological energetics of a terrestrial isopod. In: Systems analysis and simulation in ecology, vol. I, B.C. Patten, ed., p. 269–323. London-New York: Academic Press 1971
Hunter, W.R.: Annual variations in growth and density in natural populations of freshwater snails in the West of Scotland. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond. 136, 219–253 (1961)
Kajak, Z., Warda, J.: Feeding of benthic non-predatory Chironomidae in lakes. Ann. Zool. Penn. 5, 57–64 (1968)
Lawton, J.H.: Feeding and food energy assimilation in larvae of the damsel fly Pyrrhosoma nymphula (Sulz.) (Odonata: Zygoptera). J. Anim. Ecol. 39, 669–689 (1970)
Meadows, P.S., Anderson, J.E.: Micro-organisms attached to marine and freshwater sand grains. Nature (Lond.) 22, 1059–1060 (1967)
Miner, R.W.: The regulation of hunger and appetite. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 63, 1–144 (1955)
Moore, M.N.: Aspects of the host parasite relationship of a number of developing digenetic trematodes and their molluscan and vertebrate hosts. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Queens University, Belfast (1971)
Newell, R.: The role of detritus in the nutrition of two marine deposit feeders, the Prosobranch Hydrobia ulvae and the bivalve Macoma balthica. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 144, 25–45 (1965)
Norman, A.J., Jenkins, S.H.: A new method for the determination of cellulose based upon observations of the removal of lignin and other encrusting materials. Biochem. J. 27, 818–831 (1933)
Phillipson, J.: The food consumption of different instars of Mitopus morio (F.) (Phalangida) under natural conditions. J. Anim. Ecol. 29, 299–307 (1960)
Precht, H.: Concepts of the temperature adaption of unchanging reaction systems of cold blooded animals. Physiological adaptation, C.L. Prosser, ed., p. 50–78. Washington, D.C.: Physiological Society 1958
Reichle, D.E.: Relation of body size to food intake, oxygen consumption and trace element metabolism in forest floor arthropods. Ecology 49, 538–542 (1968)
Schindler, D.W.: Feeding, assimilation and respiration rates of Daphnia magna under various environmental conditions and their relation to production estimates. J. Anim. Ecol. 37, 369–385 (1968)
Schindler, J.E.: Food quality and zooplankton nutrition. J. Anim. Ecol. 40, 589–595 (1971)
Slobodkin, L.: Energy in animal ecology. Advanc. ecol. Res. 1, 69–101 (1962)
Soldatova, I.N., Tsikhon-Lukanina, E.A., Nikolaeva, G.G., Lukasheva, T.A.: On the transformation of the energy of food in marine crustaceans. Okeanologifa 9, 1087–1094 (1969)
Sorokin, Ju. I., Panov, D.A.: The use of C-14 for the quantitative study of the nutrition of fish larvae. Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. Hydrogr. 51, 734–756 (1968)
Tsikhon-Lukanina, E.A.: Dependence of consumption of vegetable food on body weight. Tr. Inst. Oceanol. 85, 112–115 (1967)
Van der Drift, J.: Analysis of the animal community in a beech forest floor. Tidschr. Entl. 94, 1–168 (1951)
Widdows, J., Bayne, B.L.: Temperature acclimation of Mylitus edulis with reference to its energy budget. Ass. U. K. 51, 827–843 (1971)
Windell, J.T.: Rate of digestion in blue-gill sunfish. Invest. Indiana Lakes and Streams 7, 185–214 (1966)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Calow, P. The feeding strategies of two freshwater gastropods, Ancylus fluviatilis Müll. and Planorbis contortus Linn. (Pulmonata), in terms of ingestion rates and absorption efficiencies. Oecologia 20, 33–49 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00364320
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00364320