METABOLIC ADAPTATION IN THE POLYMORPHIC LAND SNAIL ARIANTA-ARBUSTORUM

The O2 consumption of brown and yellow morphs of autumn and winter A. arbustorum was determined after adaptation to several laboratory microclimatic conditions. The data on metabolism of autumn and winter collected snails were treated statistically by using factorial analysis of variance for each season. There are highly significant differences in the metabolic rate of autumn and winter animals resulting from the influences of microclimatic elements like adaptation temperature, relative humidity, environmental temperature and the effect of phenotypic shell color. There are also significant differences in the interactions of these factors which relate the animals to natural ecological influences. The energy utilization averaged .apprx. 25% less by the brown morph than the yellow one at 20.degree.-30.degree. C. Comparisons were made between O2 consumption of the animals at these 2 seasons. The winter snails are characterized by a depressed respiration rate, and significant lowering of respiratory Q10. The results are discussed in the light of physiological selection by different responses of metabolic rate to microclimatic factors on the 2 morphs. This is important in the maintenance of genetic diversity and polymorphism of A. arbustorum.