Population structure and spatial distribution of the gastropod molluscs Osilinus atrata and Osilinus sauciatus in the rocky intertidal zone of the Canary Islands (Central East Atlantic)

• DOI: 10.7773/cm.v31i4.35
• Publication Date: 2017-08-11T19:22:47Z
• Authors: R Ramírez; F Tuya; P Sánchez-Jerez; C Fernández-Gil; P Bersaga; RJ Haroun; JJ Henández-Brito
• Keywords: Archipelago; Intertidal ecology; Rocky shore; Population Structure

A hierarchical sampling design was used to study the population structure and horizontal (differences among islands, locations within islands sites locations) vertical intertidal bands) distribution patterns of gastropod molluscs Osilinus atrata O. sauciatus along rocky zone Canary Islands. Differences in spatial abundance, size were recorded for both species. more abundant than throughout archipelago. Its abundance varied it presented a heterogeneous bands from one island another, though frequent middle high bands. only found at eastern did not exhibit significant differences between bands, even 91.35% individuals appeared band rest band. On other hand, had larger mean atrata, but species largest sizes