Abstract

Space (intertidal height and location/exposure on the rock surface), and food {gut contents) were partitioned among 7 species of sympatric intertidal chitons: Mopaliidae - Mopalia hindsii, M. ciliata, ~· lignosa, M. muscosa, and Katharina tunicata; and Ischnochitonidae - Tonicella lineata and Cyanoplax dentiens. Species distribution relative to intertidal height (-0.3m to +0.9m) showed significant differences. M. hindsii, ~· ciliata, M. lignosa, and T. lineata preferred slopes or undersides of rocks while ~· muscosa, K. tunicata, and c. dentiens occurred on the top horizontal surfaces or in more exposed habitats. Chitons differed significantly in their associations with Lithothamnion, macrophytic algae, Ulva, encrusting red algae {Petrocelis and Hildenbrandia), and invertebrates. Considerable overlap in food types occurred, however, significant differences in utilization of Ulva and diatoms and near significant differences in utilization of invertebrates, filamentous red algae, and Lithotharnnion suggest food resource partitioning. Certain species appeared to "select" diatoms, Ulva, and invertebrates from eight food types available in the microhabitat. Movement rates, activity, and behavior differed significantly in one tank experiment and may further ecologically separate the chiton species. However, field studies did not find significant differences among chiton species in distance moved, range of movement, and movement patterns.

LLU Discipline

Biology

Department

Biology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Conrad D. Clausen

Second Advisor

Elwood McCluskey

Third Advisor

David Hessinger

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

1984

Date (Title Page)

12-1984

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Chitons; Resource partitioning (Ecology); Chitons -- Habitat

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vii: 68

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

Download

Included in

Biology Commons

Share

COinS