The ecology of six species of littoral gastropod molluscs. II. Seasonal variations in the six populations

Abstract

The seasonal variations in the abundances of Austrocochlea constricta (Lamarck), Cellana tramoserica (Sowerby), and Montfortula conoidea (Reeve) were associated dominantly with seasonal variations in temperature. Temperature influenced survival of Mn. Conoidea, and probably was associated with the dispersal behaviour of G. tramoserica, but its influence on the abundance of A. constricta was unknown. The seasonal variations in the abundances of Bembicium nanum (Lamarck) was most probably associated only with wave action. No association was found between the seasonal abundances of Melanerita melanotragus (Smith) and any factor of the environment, whilst the density of Morula marginalba (Blainville) was too low for significant associations to be determined.

The recent prehistoric exploitation of edible mussel in Aboriginal shell middens in southern New South Wales

“…A range of rock platform shellfish which occupy habitats and display environmental tolerances similar to the edible mussel could have been collected as food throughout the year, although relative availability of species and meat weights have been shown to vary seasonally (O'Gower and Meyer 1965, Underwood 1976). These include striped top shells, tent shells, nerites, limpets, oyster borers and cartrut shellfish.…”