Abstract
Goniobasis cahawbensis is a stream snail that experiences an annual temperature cycle. G. cochliaris is limited in distribution to springs, and their immediate vicinities, which are characterized by nearly constant annual temperatures. The present study sought to determine whether temperature dependent biochemical differences exist that might account for the differential distribution of these congeneric pleurocerid snails.
Eight enzymes were examined following acclimation to 10ยฐ, 17ยฐ and 24ยฐC. No significant temperature dependent qualitative differences in enzyme phenotypes were demonstrable in either species by starchโgel electrophoresis for malate dehydrogenase, glucoseโ6โphosphate dehydrogenase, phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase, superoxide dismutase and acetyl and butyryl esterases. Significant quantitative differences were observed in three of these enzymes. G. cahawbensis cytosol malate dehydrogenase activity increased significantly with increasing acclimation temperature, while G. cochliaris malate dehydrogenase activity remained unchanged. The activities of glucoseโ6โphosphate dehydrogenase did not differ significantly between acclimation temperatures for either species; however, the overall activity of both enzymes was significantly higher for G. cochliaris. Appreciable levels of LDH activity were not demonstrable by electrophoresis or enzymatic assay.