Responses of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea to reintroduction under different environmental conditions: survival, growth rates and life-history

Published source details Espinosa F., González A.R., Maestre M.J., Fa D., Guerra-García J.M. & García-Gómez J.C. (2008) Responses of the endangered limpet Patella ferruginea to reintroduction under different environmental conditions: survival, growth rates and life-history. Italian Journal of Zoology, 75, 371-384.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Transplant or seed organisms onto intertidal artificial structures Action Link

Transplant or seed organisms onto intertidal artificial structures

A replicated study in 2003–2005 on four intertidal breakwaters in Ceuta Port and on open coastline in the Alboran Sea, Spain (Espinosa et al. 2008) reported that 0–17% of limpets Patella ferruginea transplanted onto breakwaters survived, but that most survivors grew. Data were not statistically tested. After 28 months, 2–17% of transplanted limpets survived on the wave-sheltered inaccessible breakwater, 15% on the wave-exposed inaccessible breakwater, 8% on the wave-sheltered accessible breakwater, and 0% on the wave-exposed accessible breakwater. Growth rates ranged from 0–4 mm/month with no clear differences between sites. Limpets were collected from a boulder breakwater during reconstruction, marked and then transplanted onto four nearby boulder breakwaters. Twenty limpets were transplanted onto boulder surfaces in each of three patches (10 m long) on each of four breakwaters during spring 2003 (shore level/month and other transplantation details not reported). Breakwaters were either inside the port (wave-sheltered) or outside (wave-exposed) and either accessible to people or inaccessible, with one breakwater/exposure-accessibility combination. Transplants were monitored over 28 months.

(Summarised by: Ally Evans)