VARIATION IN FORAGING ACTIVITY OF ACANTHOCHITONA-GARNOTI (MOLLUSCA, POLYPLACOPHORA) FROM DIFFERENT HABITATS

Foraging activity of Acanthochitona gamoti was studied during spring a nd neap tides in three different habitats: an aeolian sandstone platfo rm, a permanent high-shore rock pool (aeolian shore) and a quartzitic sandstone boulder shore. On exposed rock, A. gamoti was active only du ring nocturnal low tides, although some individuals were active during early morning low tides when in shade. Chitons from upper-shore pools were active during both day and night low tides. At all sites chitons foraged for longer ((x) over bar = 5.5 h) and travelled further ((x) over bar = 313 mm) during a spring tide new moon and least on a spring tide full moon ((x) over bar = 4.0 h; (x) over bar = 182 mm). Chitons on the boulder beach travelled greeter distances ((x) over bar = 367 mm) during foraging than those from aeolian shores ((x) over bar = 105 mm). It is suggested that this is a result of boulder beach chitons h aving further to travel to find a grazing patch. Finally, A. gamoti wa s found to have a ranging pattern of activity on boulder shores and a homing pattern on aeolian shores.