Ka. Mcguinness, THE CLIMBING BEHAVIOR OF CERITHIDEA-ANTICIPATA (MOLUSCA, GASTROPODA) - THE ROLES OF PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL FACTORS, Australian journal of ecology, 19(3), 1994, pp. 283-289
Many molluscs in tidal wetlands climb trees as the tide rises, a behav
iour usually assumed to be a means of avoiding subtidal predators. Som
e species are more active during neap tides, when the access of subtid
al predators to the forest is limited, but rest on trees during spring
tides. Cerithidea anticipata, which inhabits the mangrove forests aro
und Darwin Harbour (Northern Territory, Australia), displayed almost e
xactly the opposite pattern. This species climbed higher, and was less
active, during neap tides that did not flood the forest than during s
pring tides. Tn experiments with tethered snails, individuals prevente
d from climbing died during neap tides, apparently from physiological
stress. Further, individuals resting on trees around clearings, usuall
y selected shaded sites. These results suggest that the major reason C
. anticipata climbed was to avoid physiological stress during neap tid
es, not subtidal predators during spring rides. There was some evidenc
e of predation under the canopy, but the rate was relatively low and t
he species responsible appeared to be resident in the forest.