Abstract
To assess how predation on ribbed mussels Geukensia dernissa varied with tidal elevation and distance into the salt marsh, identical mussel clumps were introduced into locations differing in elevation and distance from open water in salt marshes at 2 geographically separate areas. Mussel mortality was greater at lower tidal elevations. At similar tidal elevations, mussels on the marsh interior showed less mortality than those on the marsh edge. Mortality was most likely due to predahon by blue crabs Callinectes sapidus. Blue crabs and other aquatic predators forage in the salt marsh only during periods of tidal inundation and thus their feeding time decreases from low to high levels. At similar tidal elevations, their access to the marsh intenor may be impeded by dense marsh grasses.
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