Settlement and recruitment of the blue-rayed limpet, Patella pellucida L. in Galway Bay, west coast of Ireland
McGrath, D.; Foley, H. (2005). Settlement and recruitment of the blue-rayed limpet, Patella pellucida L. in Galway Bay, west coast of Ireland, in: Wilson, J.G. (Ed.) The intertidal ecosystem: the value of Ireland’s shores. pp. 100-114
In: Wilson, J.G. (Ed.) (2005). The intertidal ecosystem: the value of Ireland’s shores. Royal Irish Academy: Dublin. ISBN 1-904890-09-1. 206 pp., more
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| Abstract |
The seasonal occurrence, density and population structure of the bluerayed limpet, Patella pellucida, on crustose coralline algae (CCA) and Mastocarpus stellatus are described from an exposed rocky shore at Ballynahown, Galway Bay, Ireland during 1990–1993. Recently settled recruits of P. pellucida, i.e. individuals with larval shells still attached, were found on CCA each year and in virtually every month of the year. A marked annual cycle in the abundance of P. pellucida on CCA is described, with the largest densities occurring during winter/spring, of up to 15 cm–2, falling to minima in the summer months. Analysis of population structure shows that this pattern is due to a winter/early spring settlement peak. Data from M. stellatus suggest that P. pellucida may settle directly on this alga, but, if so, at densities two orders of magnitude less than on CCA. The pattern of density change and the population structure on M. stellatus support the hypothesis that P. pellucida migrates to this alga following settlement on CCA. The larval and developing adult shells are described using SEM photographs. |
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