Interaction between Association and Exposure Is Correlated with Mean Size of Basal Crepidula Fornicata in Nahant, Ma
نویسنده
چکیده
Abstract The Atlantic slipper snail, Crepidula fornicata, is a filter-feeding gastropod. C. fornicata is a sequential hermaphrodite with a unique reproductive behavior that involves smaller, mobile male slipper snails stacking on top of larger female slipper snails. This association allows males to release sperm in close proximity to fertile females. This study examined the mean size of basal C. fornicata in mid-tide tidal pools in Nahant, MA. The purpose of the study was to determine if association (unstacked or stacked), exposure (exposed tidal pools or sheltered tidal pools) or the interaction between the two variables altered the mean size of basal C. fornicata. Unassociated basal C. fornicata had a smaller mean size than associated basal C. fornicata in both exposed and sheltered tidal pools. The interaction between exposure and association significantly altered the mean size of basal C. fornicata, and the basal C. fornicata with no associations was larger in sheltered tidal pools; however, the basal C. fornicata with associations was smaller in sheltered tidal pools.
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A forced association between the slippersnail Crepidula convexa and the hermit crab Pagurus longicarpus?—possible influence from a third party
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