Variation in Desiccation Tolerance in Freshwater Snails and Its Consequences for Invasion Ability

摘要: The freshwaters of Martinique (French West Indies) have recently been invaded by snails belonging to the Thiaridae family (Gastropoda; Prosobranchia). Eight distinct Thiarid lines successively introduced in Martinique, and are still process sequentially replacing one another within local habitats, revealing a range increasing invasive abilities. Our aim was test whether variation ability can be partly explained specific life-history trait, desiccation tolerance, which might important view typical instability tropical freshwater habitats. We therefore tested tolerance both juveniles adults under laboratory conditions. data show that, although all resist quite well, they exhibit extreme degree tolerance. These differences mostly mediated individual size, but definitely genetic origin given that our individuals were similar ages raised standardized overall success line deduced from field surveys, does not correlate with its However, seem limiting factor for invasion small fraction habitats most exposed drought. More generally, study exemplifies possibility differential among rather than general ability, predicted according particular set closely related taxa.