Present status of the endangered limpet Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) in Ceuta: how do substrate heterogeneity and area accessibility affect population structure?

Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) is a threatened giant patellid limpet found on the North African coast from Namibia to Algeria. The objective of this study was to estimate the total number of individuals present in Ceuta (Strait of Gibraltar) and to determine the effect of certain physical pa...

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Main Authors: Rivera–Ingraham, G. A., Espinosa, F., García–Gómez, J. C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona 2011-12-01
Series:Animal Biodiversity and Conservation
Subjects:
Online Access:http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/ABC-34-2-pp-319-330.pdf
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author Rivera–Ingraham, G. A.
Espinosa, F.
García–Gómez, J. C.
author_facet Rivera–Ingraham, G. A.
Espinosa, F.
García–Gómez, J. C.
author_sort Rivera–Ingraham, G. A.
collection DOAJ
description Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) is a threatened giant patellid limpet found on the North African coast from Namibia to Algeria. The objective of this study was to estimate the total number of individuals present in Ceuta (Strait of Gibraltar) and to determine the effect of certain physical parameters on population structure and abundance. Between 2006 and 2010 we conducted an exhaustive census in the area. Results indicate that Ceuta could be home to 48,473 individuals. The most important populations were recorded on the North Bay, characterized by its Atlantic influence. While for other similar species, such as Patella ferruginea, human accessibility to the area plays an important role in determining the structure of populations, we found that substrate roughness (small scale topographic heterogeneity) is the main determining factor in this species. Populations located on medium to low topographic heterogeneity substrates showed higher percentages of medium and large size individuals. However, recruitment rates did not differ between substrata of different roughness. Finally, and through the analysis of the C. nigra populations located on some recently constructed jetties, we obtained interesting new data regarding individual growth rates, thus contributing to our knowledge of the population structure of the species.
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spelling doaj.art-cd13cc41aa144210bf9f3b0babcbd8212022-12-22T01:59:11ZengMuseu de Ciències Naturals de BarcelonaAnimal Biodiversity and Conservation1578-665X2011-12-01342319330Present status of the endangered limpet Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) in Ceuta: how do substrate heterogeneity and area accessibility affect population structure?Rivera–Ingraham, G. A.Espinosa, F.García–Gómez, J. C.Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) is a threatened giant patellid limpet found on the North African coast from Namibia to Algeria. The objective of this study was to estimate the total number of individuals present in Ceuta (Strait of Gibraltar) and to determine the effect of certain physical parameters on population structure and abundance. Between 2006 and 2010 we conducted an exhaustive census in the area. Results indicate that Ceuta could be home to 48,473 individuals. The most important populations were recorded on the North Bay, characterized by its Atlantic influence. While for other similar species, such as Patella ferruginea, human accessibility to the area plays an important role in determining the structure of populations, we found that substrate roughness (small scale topographic heterogeneity) is the main determining factor in this species. Populations located on medium to low topographic heterogeneity substrates showed higher percentages of medium and large size individuals. However, recruitment rates did not differ between substrata of different roughness. Finally, and through the analysis of the C. nigra populations located on some recently constructed jetties, we obtained interesting new data regarding individual growth rates, thus contributing to our knowledge of the population structure of the species.http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/ABC-34-2-pp-319-330.pdfLimpetEndangered speciesCymbula nigraSubstrate heterogeneityStrait of GibraltarCeuta
spellingShingle Rivera–Ingraham, G. A.
Espinosa, F.
García–Gómez, J. C.
Present status of the endangered limpet Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) in Ceuta: how do substrate heterogeneity and area accessibility affect population structure?
Animal Biodiversity and Conservation
Limpet
Endangered species
Cymbula nigra
Substrate heterogeneity
Strait of Gibraltar
Ceuta
title Present status of the endangered limpet Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) in Ceuta: how do substrate heterogeneity and area accessibility affect population structure?
title_full Present status of the endangered limpet Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) in Ceuta: how do substrate heterogeneity and area accessibility affect population structure?
title_fullStr Present status of the endangered limpet Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) in Ceuta: how do substrate heterogeneity and area accessibility affect population structure?
title_full_unstemmed Present status of the endangered limpet Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) in Ceuta: how do substrate heterogeneity and area accessibility affect population structure?
title_short Present status of the endangered limpet Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda, Patellidae) in Ceuta: how do substrate heterogeneity and area accessibility affect population structure?
title_sort present status of the endangered limpet cymbula nigra gastropoda patellidae in ceuta how do substrate heterogeneity and area accessibility affect population structure
topic Limpet
Endangered species
Cymbula nigra
Substrate heterogeneity
Strait of Gibraltar
Ceuta
url http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/ABC-34-2-pp-319-330.pdf
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