Calcium Regulation in the Freshwater Mollusc Limnaea Stagnalis (L.) (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

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Abstract
1. Three major calcium compartments have been identified in L. stagnalis: the shell, the blood and the fresh tissues. 2. The distribution of 45Ca, absorbed from the medium, in the tissues of L. stagnalis has been studied. Absorbed calcium appears first in the blood and then in the shell and other tissues. 3. 30% of the total fresh tissue calcium and about 20% of mantle calcium exchanges with blood calcium. A continual exchange between shell and blood calcium occurs. 4. During net calcium loss from L. stagnalis a net movement of calcium from shell to blood occurs at a rate similar to the rate of net loss. During net calcium uptake, the reverse movement from blood to shell at a rate similar to the rate of net uptake occurs. 5. A simple mechanism which might account for the control of blood calcium concentration has been proposed.