Plasticity in the temporal organization of behaviour in the limpet <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cellana grata</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Giacomo Santini Avis Ngan Gray A Williams |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Florence, Via Romana 17, 50125 Florence, Italy;(2) The Swire Institute of Marine Science and Division of Ecology & Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China |
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Abstract: | The behaviour of intertidal consumers is often tightly constrained to tidal movements, although activity patterns can vary
within these constraints. Spatio-temporal variability in behaviour of a limpet, Cellana grata, was analysed over different tidal conditions (spring and neap tides) and during different times of the year (one summer
and one winter) at sites in Hong Kong. Activity was generally dictated by tidal movements, being concentrated when animals
were awash. Plasticity in behaviour was observed, with some limpets anticipating activity during the summer period and delaying
activity during winter time. Limpets were active for a time equal, or slightly less, than time awash. As the time awash exceeded
~14–16 h, however, activity duration decreased. Within this general pattern, tidal variation as well as variation among times
of the year was noted, with the lowest dependence on time awash being recorded during winter neap tides. Limpets showed a
slight preference for being active during nighttime, which was particularly evident when animals were emersed during the summer
period. Although the basic activity in C. grata is constrained to a specific temporal window, this limpet is able to modulate its foraging strategies and resting height,
according to local, daily changes in environmental conditions. |
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