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Studies on activity pattern of the patellid limpet Cellana toreuma (Reeve)

1979; Elsevier BV; Volume: 40; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0022-0981(79)90040-6

1879-1697

Yoshiaki Hirano,

Marine Biology and Ecology Research

The habits and activity of Cellana toreuma (Reeve) have been studied in a field population. Activity is very high at ebb and flood tide, independent of the time of day, and sharply decreases during complete submergence or complete exposure. Duration of movement fluctuates with tidal amplitude; when neap tide, movement does not stop during low tide owing to continuous awash conditions. Vertical movement entirely coincides with tidal direction at day and night. In this way, the movement does not depend on light but chiefly the tide. Compared with a nocturnal limpet, C. nigrolineata (Reeve), the divergence in the behavioural patterns may be a function of the extent to which limpets are influenced by light. Duration of movement and distance increase with limpet size. Homing behaviour was not observed.