Colonizing Ability in Land Snails on Baltic Uplift Archipelagos

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Abstract
We have examined correlates of land snail colonizing ability in two land uplift archipelagos in the Baltic, using literature data on the orders of colonization and on life histories, mating systems, habitat niche breadths, abundances and habitat requirements. No correlations between life history traits associated with the r-K-continuum and the orders of colonization could be found. Our results suggest that the availability of suitable habitats on islands partly, but not exclusively, determine the orders of colonization. Species with broader habitat niches were more abundant in the source areas, and tended to colonize islands earlier than habitat specialists. Information about mating systems suggests that self-fertilization is more common in colonizers than in non-colonizers. The importance of phenotypic plasticity and dispersal ability for colonizing ability is discussed, and it is concluded that colonization success cannot be predicted from life history traits commonly associated with r-selection.

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