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J. Moll. Stud. (1989), 55, 461-467
© The Malacological Society of London 1989

research-article

HAS THE POPULATION DECLINE DUE TO TBT POLLUTION AFFECTED SHELL-SHAPE VARIATION IN THE DOG-WHELK, NUCELLA LAPILLUS (L.)?

J. H. CROTHERS

Field Studies Council Nettlecombe Court, Williton, Taunton, Somerset TA4 4HT

The number of dog-whelks on sheltered rocky shores of southern Britain has greatly declined during the last twenty years, following the use of TBT antifouling paints on the hulls of yachts and other small craft. In July 1988, dogwhelks were apparently absent from some sites around Dale Roads (Milford Haven: South Wales) where, formerly, they had been common. But, where animals could be found, there had been no detectable changes in mean shell shape since 1966/1971. That is, the survivors appear to represent a random selection of the shell shapes shown by the former large populations. In a smaller inlet. Water-mouth Cove (N. Devon), the true sheltered shore form was apparently extinct: all the survivors, living on shores of intermediate exposure in the entrance to the cove, have less elongated shells. It will be interesting to monitor the recolonisation process.

(Received 5 October 1988; accepted 18 October 1988)


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