Activity Pattern of the Limpet, Cellana nigrolineata

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  • マツバガイの活動パターン
  • マツバガイの活動パターン〔英文〕
  • マツバガイ ノ カツドウ パターン エイブン

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Abstract

Cellana nigrolineata REEVE, 1855, which is distributed along the coast of Mukaishima Island, grazes on rock surfaces from the upper to middle intertidal zone. The habits and activity pattern of this limpet were investigated in a field population. Resting positions were found both on exposed rock surfaces and in crevices. C. nigrolineata tends to home. As the outward and return trips follow different paths, the mechanism of homing seems to be very complicated. Some animals, previously seen only on rock surfaces, were observed entering crevices after a period of growth. The mean distance travelled was 119 cm/day. The value varied under different conditions of light and tide. When immersed more individuals moved at night than during day. Under exposed conditions, C. nigrolineata did not move in the daytime at all ; and moved more actively at night during this period than when submerged. It could be concluded from these results that C. nigrolineata has a nocturnal habit. There are changes in the level of activity during movement. Under submerged or awash conditions, vertical movement coincides with the direction of the tide and is not affected by the time of day. The animals always moved downward when exposed at night. The results are discussed and compared with those obtained for other limpets.

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