Relative predation intensity of an intertidal gastropod on artificial coastal defense structures

Abstract

Despite seawalls becoming ubiquitous coastal features, and having some physical similarities to natural rocky shores, it remains unclear how these urban habitats influence predator–prey interactions. Predators can affect intertidal mobile prey densities through two pathways: (1) successful predation directly influences prey mortality rates, and (2) direct and indirect effects of predation can scare and induce motile prey to seek safer areas. In this study, we investigated whether intertidal predators affect the density of the marine gastropod, Nerita undata, at four seawall sites in Singapore. Using a tethering method that we developed, we monitored the mortality and other evidence of predation (shell state) of tethered N. undata. Field experiments revealed high (22.5%–82.5%) predation potential of N. undata across the four sites, with significantly higher predation risk at lower shore heights and for snails with mixed shell coloration. Observations and analysis of the shell state after 3 days showed that predation on seawalls was primarily by crushing predators such as fish. Other predators of N. undata include predatory snails, with various feeding methods that left behind different predator signatures. Our results add substantially to the limited knowledge on predator–prey interactions on seawalls, particularly for Nerita undata, and suggest that seawall systems are more dynamic than previously thought. This further highlights the role of these artificial structures as important habitats and feeding grounds in urban coastal ecosystems.