SEASONAL BURROWING BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY OFAPORRHAIS OCCIDENTALIS(GASTROPODA : STROMBACEA)

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Abstract
Scuba observations and in situ tagging experiments were conducted on a population of A. occidentalis during 1973-1976. Seasonal changes in burrowing behavior were quantified by determining the percentage of tagged snails found burrowing each month. Gut content analyses were performed at monthly intervals to determine if the intensity of feeding activity fluctuated seasonally. Empty A. occidentalis shells were collected and examined for evidence of predation. Specimens of A. occidentalis alternated between periods of epifaunal activity and infaunal quiescence. Tagged snails tended to remain burrowed from Aug. through Jan., but were active on the surface of the substrate from Feb. until late summer. Gut content analyses showed that the snails fed actively during their epifaunal period, but ceased feeding while burrowed. Laboratory attempts to influence burrowing behavior by manipulating water temperature were unsuccessful. Published observations on eastern Atlantic Aporrhais spp. suggest that seasonal burrowing behavior may be characteristic of the genus.

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