Abstract

In two populations of Patella vulgata in the Isle of Man foraging activity is restricted to daytime high waters, with about 75 per cent of the population foraging on any one day. Movement commences as the tide covers the limpets, and they travel an average of 0·4 m from their home sites to which they return at least an hour before the falling tide exposes them again. The mean speed on the outward and return journey is around 0·60 cm min −, and during the intervening browsing period about 0·08 cm min −. This behaviour contrasts with that of the same species in Alderney, where foraging is limited to nocturnal low waters: there is possibly a geographical trend in behaviour. P. vulgata, especially in the Isle of Man, is one of the more mobile limpets.

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