ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF NERITA ORYZARUM (RECLUZ), A GASTROPOD, TO VARIATIONS IN TEMPERATURE, pH AND SALINITY
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Authors
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A. K. Jaiswar
Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova Mumbai - 400 061
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M. K. Thakur
The Institute of Science, 15 Madam Cama Road, Mumbai - 400 032
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B. G. Kulkarni
The Institute of Science, 15 Madam Cama Road, Mumbai - 400 032
Abstract
During ecophysiological investigations on an intertidal gastropod, Nerita
oryzarum (Reduz), of Mumbai shore, various biochemical changes could be
recorded. Glycogen and lipid contents of N. oryzarum were found to decrease,
whereas, water content increased with decreasing salinity. The rate of oxygen
consumption declined with the decrease in salinity and also in highly acidic
(pH 2) as well as highly alkaline (pH 10) sea water. The observed variations
in the rate of oxygen consumption and changes in biochemical composition
in the animal with changes in salinity, pH and temperature are probably the
process of physiological and biochemical adjustments to the fluctuating
environmental conditions in the intertidal region.
Key words: Ecophysiology, Nerita oryzarum, oxygen consumption
