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Journal Molluscan Studies Advance Access published online on June 17, 2009
Journal of Molluscan Studies, doi:10.1093/mollus/eyp028
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Malacological Society of London, all rights reserved

EGG RETENTION AND OVOVIVIPARITY IN CLAUSILIIDS OF THE GENUS VESTIA P. HESSE (GASTROPODA: CLAUSILIIDAE)

Anna Sulikowska-Drozd

Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, University of Lodz, Banacha Str. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland

Correspondence: email: sulik{at}biol.uni.lodz.pl


  Abstract

The reproductive biology of three Carpathian clausiliids of the genus Vestia [V. gulo (E.A. Bielz, 1859), V. elata (Rossmässler, 1836) and V. turgida (Rossmässler, 1836)] was studied using two methods: (1) the presence of eggs was examined in uteri of snails collected in the wild; and (2) the reproduction of snails was observed for 2–4 years under laboratory conditions. All three species retained eggs (ovoviviparity sensu lato), but there was a variation in the stage of the development of embryos among the species: V. gulo retained embryos to a size of c. 1.3 embryonic whorls, then laid eggs that hatched after 7–10 days; V. elata retained embryos to a size of 1.8 whorls, then laid eggs that hatched after 2–4 days; and V. turgida retained the largest embryos with up to 2.9 embryonic whorls. Oviposition was observed rarely in the latter species so that most embryos probably hatched inside the parent (ovoviviparity sensu stricto). The number of retained eggs in a uterus differed significantly between V. gulo and V. turgida. The reproductive period of V. turgida was longer than that of V. gulo, with two distinct reproductive peaks in June and August. Eggs were spherical or slightly oval, partly calcified and resilient, but eggs of V. turgida were elongated and less resilient. Mean numbers of eggs in a single batch were: V. gulo, 9.44 ± 3.73; V. elata, 4.50 ± 2.07; and V. turgida, 3.83 ± 2.12. Egg cannibalism was most intense in V. gulo, but was not observed in V. turgida. Under laboratory conditions V. gulo produced 1–4 batches, V. elata 1–7 batches and V. turgida 1–6 batches of eggs. The three species each produce up to 30–34 juveniles per reproductive season, but the interspecific variation and between-season variation were very high. A possible relation of the reproduction mode with habitat preferences of the species is proposed.

(Received 3 December 2008; accepted 6 April 2009)


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