Patellid Limpets: An Overview of the Biology and Conservation of Keystone Species of the Rocky Shores

Henriques, Paulo; Delgado, J. M. P. Q.; Sousa, Ricardo

doi:10.5772/67862

Cited by 27 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 134 publications

(208 reference statements)

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“…Growth is a key variable in determining the survivability of any given animal, and it is important to understand the factors that drive it [31]. Biological parameters such as growth rate, asymptotic length, longevity, and age structure reflect the overall state of health of a population and are commonly used as stock assessment tools of exploited marine organisms [4]. In gastropods, growth rates have been determined through several features such as growth lines and rings in shells [32,33], opercula [34], and statoliths [35].…”

Section: Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Topshells occupy the rocky sea shores from the supratidal to the subtidal, one of the most extreme, heterogeneous, and dynamic environments in nature that expose these organisms to different levels of thermal and hydric stresses [2,3]. These unpredictable environmental conditions are therefore responsible for many of their peculiar morphological and biological characteristics that can be perceived as adaptations to the intertidal environment [4]. The marine snails of the genus Phorcus are ecologically important algae grazers that play a major role in regulating the ecological balance of their habitat and have often been used as biological indicators in evaluating the consequences of anthropogenic impact on this ecosystem [4,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Marine Snails of the Genus Phorcus: Biology and Ecology of Sentinel Species for Human Impacts on the Rocky Shores

Sousa¹,

Delgado²,

González³

et al. 2018

Biological Resources of Water

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In this review article, the authors explore a broad spectrum of subjects associated to marine snails of the genus Phorcus Risso, 1826, namely, distribution, habitat, behaviour and life history traits, and the consequences of anthropological impacts, such as fisheries, pollution, and climate changes, on these species. This work focuses on discussing the ecological importance of these sentinel species and their interactions in the rocky shores as well as the anthropogenic impacts to which they are subjected. One of the main anthropogenic stresses that affect Phorcus species is fisheries. Topshell harvesting is recognized as occurring since prehistoric times and has evolved through time from a subsistence to commercial exploitation level. However, there is a gap of information concerning these species that hinders stock assessment and management required for sustainable exploitation. Additionally, these keystone species are useful tools in assessing coastal habitat quality, due to their eco-biological features. Contamination of these species with heavy metals carries serious risk for animal and human health due to their potential of biomagnification in the food chain. Thus, the use of these species as bioindicators is warranted to the establishment of conservation measures targeting marine coastal environments. Climate change increases the level of environmental stress to which intertidal organisms are subjected to, affecting the functioning of biological systems at different levels of organization. Phorcus species have been widely used as indicators of the effect of climate change on local disturbances of intertidal ecosystems and geographic distribution shifts of these organisms. Further studies concerning biological parameters of Phorcus species and how they react to exploitation, pollution, and climate change will consolidate these species as indicators of large-scale ecological impacts of anthropogenic activities.

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Section: Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Snails of the Genus Phorcus: Biology and Ecology of Sentinel Species for Human Impacts on the Rocky Shores

Sousa¹,

Delgado²,

González³

et al. 2018

Biological Resources of Water

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“…The conservation of exploited limpet populations is of concern, especially in coastal isolated areas, where no adjacent populations are present to supply larvae for settlement and recruitment (Cowen, Lwiza, Sponaugle, Paris, & Olson, ). The implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs) is considered a key tool for the conservation of marine biodiversity in coastal areas (Ballantine, ; Henriques, Delgado, & Sousa, ; Zann, ). Marine reserves defined as no‐take zones are a popular alternative to traditional management measures of marine resources (Halpern & Warner, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The protection effects of marine protected areas on exploited molluscs from an oceanic archipelago

Sousa

Henriques

Vasconcelos

et al. 2020

Aquatic Conservation

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1. Limpets are one of the most successful intertidal algal grazers in the north-eastern Atlantic. They provide valuable ecosystem services, playing a pivotal role in maintaining rocky shore ecological balance and have an important economic value, being subject to high levels of exploitation in several oceanic archipelagos.Limpets represent one of the most profitable economic activities of small-scale fisheries in the Madeira archipelago. However, limpets are extremely vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts, such as overharvesting, habitat fragmentation, and pollution.2. The protection effects and the effectiveness of marine protected areas (MPAs) on the population dynamics of two historically highly exploited limpet species, Patella aspera and Patella candei, were analysed through a comparative study of size, reproduction, and biomass in the Madeira archipelago.3. The effects of protection from MPAs on limpet populations resulted in a differential increase on size at first maturity, shell size, and capture per unit effort according to the degree of protection. 4. Old and enforced MPAs showed the best-preserved limpet populations in the study area, and both variables (age and enforcement) best explained the observed variability among the MPAs studied. 5.A thorough and multidisciplinary study is necessary to obtain a reliable picture of commercial stocks of the two targeted species (P. aspera and P. candei). Genetic analysis and studies on the food source of limpets may shed light to develop integrative conservation strategies.

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“…These marine gastropod molluscs are subject to one of the most extreme and dynamic natural environments, occurring from the supratidal to the subtidal zones in rocky shores. Topshells are exposed to different levels of thermal and hydric stress that result in specific morphological and biological characteristics related to adaptations to the harsh environmental conditions on rocky shores (Ramírez et al ., 2005; Donald et al ., 2012; Henriques et al ., 2017). They play a pivotal role in the intertidal ecological balance and are frequently used as biological indicators of anthropogenic impacts (Sousa et al ., 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Filling biological information gaps of the marine topshell Phorcus sauciatus (Gastropoda: Trochidae) to ensure its sustainable exploitation

et al. 2018

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Topshells play a pivotal role in intertidal rocky ecosystems and are adapted to harsh thermal and hydric stress. Phorcus sauciatus, a common grazer in the Macaronesian region (Madeira and the Canaries), has rarely been studied due to its restricted geographic distribution compared with Phorcus lineatus. Monthly samples were taken throughout 2017 to analyse biological parameters and evaluate the harvesting effect on the stocks of this species in Madeira. Individuals of the first age classes (<4 years) were dominant (~89%), while immature individuals were more abundant during the summer season. The spawning season occurs between March and August, especially from March to June. The size at first maturity was 12.95 mm long (1.68 years), with a continuous recruitment pattern throughout the year. Yield-per-recruit analysis (Y/R) showed that maximum production is achieved at a fishing mortality of 1.7 year−1, corresponding to a Y/R of 0.023 g. Currently, Phorcus sauciatus seems to be moderately exploited in Madeira, but urgent conservation measures, such as a landing obligation, the establishment of a minimum catch size of 15 mm length, and a closed season (February–May), are warranted to preserve stocks of this species in the medium to long term.

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Patellid Limpets: An Overview of the Biology and Conservation of Keystone Species of the Rocky Shores

Cited by 27 publications

References 134 publications

Marine Snails of the Genus Phorcus: Biology and Ecology of Sentinel Species for Human Impacts on the Rocky Shores

Marine Snails of the Genus Phorcus: Biology and Ecology of Sentinel Species for Human Impacts on the Rocky Shores

The protection effects of marine protected areas on exploited molluscs from an oceanic archipelago

Filling biological information gaps of the marine topshell Phorcus sauciatus (Gastropoda: Trochidae) to ensure its sustainable exploitation

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