Allometric Scaling of the Radula in the Atlantic Slippersnail Crepidula fornicata

This study examined the scaling of the radula of the Atlantic slippersnail Crepidula fornicata with body size. As a suspension feeder, the prediction was that the radula may be more important (longer relative to body size) for younger animals, as younger animals are likely to also graze the benthos whereas adults primarily suspension feed. Smaller snails had a disproportionately longer radula than larger snails, likely reflecting a more important role of the radula when animals are small. Furthermore, the radula of C. fornicata is short compared with its body size among caenogastropods. This small radula to body length ratio would be expected if the radula is not used for grazing, except possibly in smaller snails.