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Effects of foliaceous varices on the mechanical properties of Chicoreus dilectus (Gastropoda: Muricidae)
Author(s) -
MILLER D. J.,
LABARBERA M.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1995.tb01790.x
Subject(s) - gastropoda , muricidae , biology , shell (structure) , breaking strength , work (physics) , varices , ecology , materials science , composite material , engineering , mechanical engineering , medicine , cirrhosis , gastroenterology
Removal of the foliaceous varices from the shells of Chicoreus dilectus had no significant effect on the crushing strength (load at failure) of the shells, but decreased the total work necessary to break the shells by 35–50%. This effect was due to the removal of varices as an architectural feature of the shell rather than simply to the removal of shell material per se ; varicate shells had a mean work to failure per unit shell mass 1–6–2–3 times greater than avaricate shells. Because the strength of gastropod shells often exceeds the maximum forces that durophagous predators may bring to bear on them, work to failure may be a more important factor in the design of gastropod shells than breaking load.