Abstract
The nature of heat coma was examined in the edible periwinkle Littorina littorea (L.). Duration of acclimation did not influence heat-coma temperature at 12 °C, although other acclimation temperatures were important in influencing thermal tolerance, with positive shifts in coma temperature observed in response to elevated temperatures. Previous thermal history also influenced heat-coma temperatures. Individuals subjected to repeat heat-coma events on a daily basis showed significant declines (P < 0.05) in coma-temperature; in contrast individuals exposed to repeat heat-coma events on a weekly basis showed no decline in thermal tolerance. Size-effects occurred at selected sites, where decreased heat-coma temperatures were recorded in large individuals.
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Received: 16 August 1999 / Accepted: 13 June 2000
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Clarke, A., Mill, P. & Grahame, J. The nature of heat coma in Littorina littorea (Mollusca: Gastropoda). Marine Biology 137, 447–451 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002270000367
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002270000367