Gastropod shell size and architecture influence the applicability of methods used to estimate internal volume.

ABSTRACT: Obtaining accurate and reproducible estimates of internal shell volume is a vital requirement for studies into the ecology of a range of shell-occupying organisms, including hermit crabs. Shell internal volume is usually estimated by filling the shell cavity with water or sand, however, there has been no systematic assessment of the reliability of these methods and moreover no comparison with modern alternatives, e.g., computed tomography (CT). This study undertakes the first assessment of the measurement reproducibility of three contrasting approaches across a spectrum of shell architectures and sizes. While our results suggested a certain level of variability inherent for all methods, we conclude that a single measure using sand/water is likely to be sufficient for the majority of studie

SUBMITTER: Ragagnin MN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5765162 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature