Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Competitive displacement of a detritivorous salt marsh snail

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lee, SC; Silliman, BR
Published in: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
November 28, 2006

Here we examine the role of competitive interactions in controlling distributions of the most abundant omnivore-detritivore snails in East Coast U.S. salt marshes (Melampus bidentatus and Littoraria irrorata). Both snails prefer to eat fungi growing on plant material, and the periwinkle Littoraria, a much larger snail, destroys marsh canopy when grazing fungal-infected plants, resulting in increased local desiccation stress. To test if Littoraria displaces Melampus from middle marsh habitats (i.e., short Spartina alterniflora zone), we manipulated Littoraria density and shading intensity in a two-year field experiment. Both removing snails and increasing shade dramatically increased Melampus densities. Addition of periwinkles to high marsh plant zones (Juncus roemerianus) where Melampus are naturally common induced significant Melampus migration. Growth experiments under controlled canopy conditions in the middle marsh showed that periwinkle presence suppresses Melampus growth. Experimental results suggest that Littoraria may limit the lower distribution of Melampus directly (through competition) and indirectly (through habitat modification). Lab experiments show that Melampus actively avoid mucus from Littoraria and that Littoraria may dislodge or consume Melampus egg masses. This work identifies several mechanisms of displacement and suggests that periwinkles play an important regulatory role in this detritivore assemblage. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

DOI

ISSN

0022-0981

Publication Date

November 28, 2006

Volume

339

Issue

1

Start / End Page

75 / 85

Related Subject Headings

  • Marine Biology & Hydrobiology
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Lee, S. C., & Silliman, B. R. (2006). Competitive displacement of a detritivorous salt marsh snail. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 339(1), 75–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2006.07.012
Lee, S. C., and B. R. Silliman. “Competitive displacement of a detritivorous salt marsh snail.” Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 339, no. 1 (November 28, 2006): 75–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2006.07.012.
Lee SC, Silliman BR. Competitive displacement of a detritivorous salt marsh snail. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 2006 Nov 28;339(1):75–85.
Lee, S. C., and B. R. Silliman. “Competitive displacement of a detritivorous salt marsh snail.” Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, vol. 339, no. 1, Nov. 2006, pp. 75–85. Scopus, doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2006.07.012.
Lee SC, Silliman BR. Competitive displacement of a detritivorous salt marsh snail. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 2006 Nov 28;339(1):75–85.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

DOI

ISSN

0022-0981

Publication Date

November 28, 2006

Volume

339

Issue

1

Start / End Page

75 / 85

Related Subject Headings

  • Marine Biology & Hydrobiology
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences