Form and function: size of radular teeth and inorganic content of faeces in a guild of grazing molluscs at Rottnest Island, Western Australia

摘要: The size of the cusps prominent radular tooth seven species molluscs which live on vertical rocky shores Rottnest Island varied directly with conspecific individuals, but showed considerable differences between species. Siphonaria kurracheensis, a pulmonate limpet, had much smaller teeth, and Nerita atramentosa, nerite, larger teeth than other similar body. Although all gained food by scraping algae from rock, > 80% faeces chiton Clavarizona hirtosa, littorine Nodilittorina australis were inorganic materials, probably superficial layers rock. mean rate production material in these was closely related to teeth. One interpretation this relationship is that it may predict outcome competitive interactions at same level shore. superior competitor would be greater egestion relative its weight body, as has been shown for Collisella Siphonaria. However, studies suggest behaviour nature surface rock over-ride grazing abilities influence some interactions.