The ecology of six species of littoral gastropod molluscs. II. Seasonal variations in the six populations

Abstract

The seasonal variations in the abundances of Austrocochlea constricta (Lamarck), Cellana tramoserica (Sowerby), and Montfortula conoidea (Reeve) were associated dominantly with seasonal variations in temperature. Temperature influenced survival of Mn. Conoidea, and probably was associated with the dispersal behaviour of G. tramoserica, but its influence on the abundance of A. constricta was unknown. The seasonal variations in the abundances of Bembicium nanum (Lamarck) was most probably associated only with wave action. No association was found between the seasonal abundances of Melanerita melanotragus (Smith) and any factor of the environment, whilst the density of Morula marginalba (Blainville) was too low for significant associations to be determined.