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Elevational Variations In The Lowest Limit Of Spartina Colonization In A Virginia Salt Marsh, Thomas G. Reidenbaugh, William C. Banta, Santoria Mendoza, Robert P. Strieter, Michele Varricchio
Elevational Variations In The Lowest Limit Of Spartina Colonization In A Virginia Salt Marsh, Thomas G. Reidenbaugh, William C. Banta, Santoria Mendoza, Robert P. Strieter, Michele Varricchio
Gulf and Caribbean Research
Elevations of lowest colonization of smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, were surveyed along the edge of a juvenile salt marsh at Wallops Island, Virginia. This lowest limit of Spartina varied over one-third of the local mean tidal range, with lowest occurrences between mean low water and mean low water neaps. Four geographical factors appeared to influence the lowest limit of Spartina: (1) tidal scouring in areas where tidal channels were constricted, (2) scalloping of the marsh edge over a sloping substrate, (3) patterns of historical development of the marsh, and (4) ice scouring of previously colonized Spartina over winter. …
Size-Specific Emergence Of The Marsh Snail, Littorina Irrorata: Effect Of Predation By Blue Crabs In A Virginia Salt Marsh, Hilary S. Stanhope, William C. Banta, Michael H. Temkin
Size-Specific Emergence Of The Marsh Snail, Littorina Irrorata: Effect Of Predation By Blue Crabs In A Virginia Salt Marsh, Hilary S. Stanhope, William C. Banta, Michael H. Temkin
Gulf and Caribbean Research
Marsh periwinkles of 5 to 7 mm in shell height were eaten regularly by blue crabs. Fractures marking unsuccessful crab attacks were present in about 25% of medium-sized (10-16 mm) snails and over 60% of larger snails (over 16 mm). Medium-sized snails, subject to predation, leave the water more frequently than larger snails, but only about a quarter of the snail population leaves the water during high tide. We found no evidence that the snails leave the water because they sense blue crabs in the water.