FEEDING AND GROWTH RESPONSES TO COPPER, ZINC, MERCURY AND LEAD IN THE TERRESTRIAL GASTROPOD ARIONATER (LINNE)

Abstract

Food consumption and growth variations related to several dosages of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Hg and Pb) in diet were studied in the terrestrial slug Arion ater for 27 days of experimental treatment. The work reported here is part of a larger project to investigate the histological effects of metal exposure in pulmonate gastropods. Graphics on food consumption and growth vs. time for each metal, and regression for each behaviour observed are presented.