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Assessing The Effects Of The Mud Snail, Ilyanassa Obsoleta, On The Benthic Microalgal Community In A Pristine Saltmarsh, Miranda Gore
Assessing The Effects Of The Mud Snail, Ilyanassa Obsoleta, On The Benthic Microalgal Community In A Pristine Saltmarsh, Miranda Gore
Theses and Dissertations
Saltmarshes are among the most productive ecosystems globally. At North Inlet estuary, South Carolina, about one third of the primary production comes from benthic microalgae. During the tidal cycle, mobile microalgae vertically migrate through the upper 3 mm of sediment. At low tide, algae are vulnerable to a variety of grazers, including the mud snail, Ilyanassa obsoleta, which is abundant in tidal creeks. Many species of intertidal snails have been shown to significantly alter the community structure and density of microalgae within the sediment. The purpose of this study was to determine how I. obsoleta affects the benthic microalgae community …