Alterations in the digestive gland and shell of the snail Helix aspersa Müller (gastropoda, pulmonata) after prolonged starvation

doi:10.1016/0300-9629(95)02069-1

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology

Volume 115, Issue 1, September 1996, Pages 11-17

Comparative Biochemi...

https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9629(95)02069-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

We investigated the effects of prolonged starvation on body weight and shell thickness, on the numbers of different types of cells, and on the Mg/Ca ratio in the digestive gland and shell in the common garden snail Helix aspersa Müller. A 60% reduction in body weight, which occurred after periods of starvation longer than 3 months, was critical for life. Starvation had a marked effect on the relative numbers of cells in the digestive gland, and significantly decreased the number of digestive cells. The changes in Mg/Ca ratio in the digestive gland and shell were closely correlated. Changes in ion balance may have resulted from the need to compensate for the starvation-induced decline in extracellular pH. The shell acred as a reservoir of ions that could be mobilized under extreme conditions.

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General paperAlterations in the digestive gland and shell of the snail Helix aspersa Müller (gastropoda, pulmonata) after prolonged starvation

Abstract

Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Exp. Cell Res.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Ultrastructure of cells from the adenomera of the digestive gland of Helix aspersa M

Free calcium ions in neurons of Helix aspersa measured with ion-selective micro-electrodes

J. Physiol. (London)

Die Mikromorphologie von Helix pomatia und einigen anderen Stylommatophoren

Z. Ges. Anat. Abt. III

The seasonal and daily patterns of locomotor activity in the snail Helix aspersa Müller, and their relation to environmental variables

Circannual and circadian rhythms in the snail Helix aspersa Müller and the photoperiodic control of annual activity and reproduction

J. Comp. Physiol.

Uber den Bau und Tätigkeit der Gastropodenleber

Arch. Micr. Anat.

Discontinuous carbon dioxide release and metabolic depression in dormant land snails

J. Exp. Biol.

Depression of aerobic metabolism and intracellular pH by hypercapnia in land snails Otala lactea

J. Exp. Biol.

Ultrastructural changes in midgut cells of female Aedes aegypti L. (Insecta, Diptera) after starvation of sugar diet

Cell Tissue Res.

β-Glucuronidase in the digestive gland of the roman snail (Helix pomatia)

Q. J. Microsc. Sci.

Metabolic regulation via intracellular pH

Am. J. Physiol.

Helicicultura

Seasonal variation of the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in a land pulmonate gastropod Megalobulimus oblongus

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

Elektronenmikroskopische Befunde an der Mitteldarmdrüse von Schnecken

Z. Mikrosk. Anat. Forsch.

Total lipid content and lipid energetic values of bivalve molluscs

Comp. Biochem. Physiol.

General paper
Alterations in the digestive gland and shell of the snail Helix aspersa Müller (gastropoda, pulmonata) after prolonged starvation