SIZE-RELATED CHANGE IN FEEDING PREFERENCE IN THE CARNIVOROUS LAND SNAIL HAPLOTREMA CONCAVUM (PULMONATA, STYLOMMATOPHORA)

摘要

Carnivorous land snails, Haplotrema concavum, were offered eggs and hatchlings of conspecifics as well as eggs and hatchlings of another snail, Anguispira alternata. These snails made clear choices of prey and revealed a size-related change in feeding preference. Although occasionally engaging in cannibalism, H. concavum exhibited a marked preference for eggs and hatchlings of A. alternata. The tendency to eat eggs diminished as the snails grew, becoming significantly reduced in snails 6-7 mm in diameter. [References: 16]