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- Title
Shell colour polymorphism in the chiton Ischnochiton striolatus (Gray, 1828) (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) and habitat heterogeneity.
- Authors
Gonçalves Rodrigues, Letícia Rebeiro; Absalã0, Ricardo Silva
- Abstract
Shell colour polymorphism was examined in a population of the polyplacophoran Ischnochiton striolatus (Gray, 1828) living on intertidal rocks in Búzios, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Nine shell colours were identified: green (most common), grey, pink, cream, brown, orange, white, black and purple. The species habitat was also examined using three rock characteristics: volume; turnover frequency, caused by hydrodynamic disturbance; and chromatic composition. Chitons were most frequently encountered on the undersides of rocks of intermediate volume which experienced medium-intensity hydrodynamic disturbance, and which harboured a chromatically rich biotic community. These findings were in agreement with the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis. As chitons depend on the biotic community on rocks for food and shelter, a greater variety of colours could increase the chances of camouflage of the morphs against the background, favouring crypsis. It is likely that the frequency at which intermediate-volume rocks are overturned − thus exposing the chitons on them to light − would be sufficient for visual predators to act as selective agents. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 85, 543–548.
- Subjects
ISCHNOCHITON; ISCHNOCHITONIDAE; MOLLUSKS; CHITONS; INVERTEBRATES; STYLOMMATOPHORA; PULMONATA
- Publication
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, Vol 85, Issue 4, p543
- ISSN
0024-4066
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1095-8312.2005.00513.x