Polymorphism in a mangrove snail in Papua New Guinea

摘要: Snails in the genus Littorina (Gastropoda, Prosobranchia) were examined an area of mangroves Papua New Guinea. It is shown that these may be separated into three species belonging to L. xabra complex. Two live on roots only while third restricted leaves. The root are monomorphic and cryptic co-exist with other snails. leaf polymorphic. This a particularly clear-cut case tendency seen gastropods for dark, uniform habitats monomorphic, those bright, patterned foliage backgrounds suggested polymorphism maintained by resemblance morphs different elements mangrove background, which present at rather constant frequencies over wide area.