Summary
Three kinds of aggregation behaviour were observed in an exposed shore population of Nucella lapillus. Aggregations on the open rock surface during the summer protected dogwhelks from water movement, and were not found on shores where the topography conferred protection. Feeding occurred mainly within these aggregations, probably because individuals experienced less disturbance there than when isolated. Physical contact was important in holding animals together.
Winter and pre-breeding aggregations were usually found in clefts or pools. All age groups formed winter aggregations, but those of immature dogwhelks were not as permanent as those of adults, and the latter merged with the prebreeding aggregations. Winter aggregations protected dogwhelks from dislodgment when their ability to regain a foothold was reduced by low temperatures, while pre-breeding aggregations brought the sexes together for fertilization, but the permanence of adult winter aggregations suggested that reproductive activity may have been occurring within them.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ballantine, W. J.: A biologically defined exposure scale for the comparative description of rocky shores. Fld. Stud. 1, 1–19 (1961)
Carriker, M. R.: Critical review of biology and control of oyster drills Urosalpinx and Eupleura. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Serv., Special Scientific Report: Fisheries, No 148, 1–150 (1955).
Chari, V. K.: Breeding habits of Thais bufo (Lamarck). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 49, 317–318 (1950).
Cole, H. A.: The American whelk tingle, Urosalpinx cinerea (Say), on British oyster beds. J. marine biol. Ass. 25, 477–508 (1942).
Connell, J. H.: The effects of competition, predation by Thais lapillus, and other factors on natural population of the barnacle Balanus balanoides. Ecol. Mon. 31, 61–104 (1961).
D'Asaro, C. N.: The egg capsules, embryogenesis, and early organogenesis of a common oyster predator Thais haemastoma floridana (Gastropoda; Prosobranchia). Bull. Marine Sci. 16, 884–914 (1966).
Dexter, R. W. D.: Observations on the local movements of Littorina littorea (L.) and Thais Lapillus (L.) Nautilus 57, 6–8 (1943).
Feare, C. J.: The winter feeding of the purple sandpiper. Brit. Birds 59, 165–179 (1966).
—: Aspects of the ecology of an exposed shore population of dogwhelks Nucella lapillus (L.) Oecologia (Berl.) 5, 1–18 (1970a).
—: The reproductive cycle of the dogwhelk (Nucella lapillus). Proc. malac. Soc. Lond. 39, 125–137 (1970b).
Feare, C. J.: The predation of limpets and dogwhelks by oystercatchers. Bird Study (in press).
Fisher-Piette, E.: Histoire d'une moulière. Biol. Bull., fasc. 2, 1–25 (1935).
Keyl, M. J., Michaelson, I. A., Whittaker, V. P.: Physiologically active choline esters in certain marine gastropods and other invertebrates. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 139, 434–454 (1957).
Kincaid, T.: Local races and clines in the marine gastropod Thais lamellosa Gmelin. A population study. Seattle-Washington: The Calliostoma Company 1957.
Kitching, J. A., Muntz, L., Ebling, F. J.: The ecology of Lough Ine. XV. The ecological significance of shell and body forms in Nucella. J. Anim. Ecol. 35, 113–126 (1966).
Largen, M. J.: The influence of water temperature upon the life of the dog-whelk Thais lapillus (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia). J. Anim. Ecol. 36, 207–214 (1967).
Moore, H. B.: The biology of Purpura lapillus. III. Life history and relation to environmental factors. J. marine biol. Ass. 23, 67–74 (1938).
Pierson, M.: Particularités histologiques de la glande brune chez Nucella lapillus (L.) (Gasteropode prosobranche). C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 241, 1168–1170 (1955).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Feare, C.J. The adaptive significance of aggregation behaviour in the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus (L.). Oecologia 7, 117–126 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346354
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346354