Behavioural responses of Polinices incei (Gastopoda : Naticidae) to diesel oil contamination in sediments

Abstract

The effects of diesel oil on burying and crawling behaviour in the intertidal gastropod Polinices incei are presented. Burying was examined by recording the number of animals buried after exposure to pollutant for 30 min and 24 h. Crawling activity was estimated by measuring the total length of track left in the sediment by a given number of snails over a set time. Both activities were reduced in the presence of diesel oil. Concentrations required to produce a significant response in terms of burial after 30 min and of crawling activity were greater than the 96-h LD50. Only the burying response after 24 h paralleled the 96-h LD₅₀; its potential as an indicator of lethal effects is discussed.