[The growth and energy metabolism of Lymnaea stagnalis (Lymnaeidae, Gastropoda): I. Early postlarval period].

The growth and the oxygen uptake rate of Lymnaea stagnalis were studied during the first ten days after hatching. It is shown that these processes are atypical during early ontogenesis in comparison with adult mollusks. The obtained data on linear (height of shell) and weight growth can be equally well approximated with the von Bertalanffy equation or exponential and polynomial equations. Both linear and weight growth are characterized by an approximately constant specific rate associated with synchronous oscillations of a two-week period. The oscillations were observed also for the oxygen uptake rate, but of another period (about 2.6 weeks). On average the metabolic rate after the initial triple increase during the first three days remains stable. The polynomial coefficient of the allometric dependence of the total weight on the shell height is less reliable than that of the adult.