Growth and density ofPatina pellucida(L.) (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) onLaminaria hyperborea(Gunnerus) from Western Norway

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Abstract
The growth and population density of the annual patellid Patina pellucida on Laminaria hyperborea from 3, 6, and 10 m depth in western Norway have been followed. The growth was estimated from the shifts in modal values and from natural markings in the shells. Patina spawns in the spring but does not settle directly on the alga. It has a high growth rate the first 4–5 months after settling and in August the juveniles have a length of about 3 mm. By this time the Laminaria is colonized. Feeding on this alga the limpet reaches 12 mm in early January. It was found that an apparent difference in growth rate between limpets from 3 m and 6 m depth is probably due to differential mortality. L. hyperborea is the sole source of food for those Patina living on it. Population density was found to follow the changes in dry matter contents of the Laminaria, with a maximum in October and a minimum in June.

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