AGE STRUCTURE AND REPRODUCTIVE PATTERN OF THE ROCK-­DWELLING LAND SNAIL ALBINARIA ARCADICA ALONG AN ELEVATIONAL GRADIENT

The age structure of the land snail Albinaria arcadica was studied in five populations on Mt. Chelmos (Peloponnisos, Greece), along an elevational gradient, between November 2018 and May 2019. Sampling took place every other month and shell height measurements were taken and analysed. Population growth rates varied between 11 months (one growing season) to 32 months (3 growing seasons) with the average rate being 18 months (two growing seasons). It was concluded that the species reproduces twice a year, in autumn and in spring.