Effect of Human Pressure on Population Size Structures of the Endangered Ferruginean Limpet: Toward Future Management Measures

Abstract

Abstract Human predation has affected population size structures (in the sense of distribution of body size within particular populations), which has been used to track losses of larger and more fertile individuals from populations. In this sense, human exploitation can also decrease the reproductive output of invertebrate populations such as the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea. A total of 7077 individuals of this protected limpet were analysed among “Under custody” and “Without custody” sites, the strongest indication of human exploitation being the absence of a great number of larger limpets at “Without custody” sites. Likewise, recruitment was lower in “Without custody” than in “Under custody” sites, although the mean density was not affected. The presence of 4084 individuals inside the harbour area of Ceuta indicates the requirement of the involvement of harbour authorities and environmental agencies in a global conservation plan, establishing small fenced reserve areas in artificial breakwaters ...