Foraging activity of Helcion pruinosus (Patellogastropoda) on a South African boulder shore

Foraging activity of the mid-shore limpet Helcion pruinosus was monitored o n an exposed boulder beach in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Numbers of limpets active in 10 fixed quadrats were monitored and compared in differen t seasons and during spring and neap tides. Foraging excursions were mainly associated with nocturnal low tides, limpets only emerging From beneath ro cks when they were completely uncovered by the receding tide, and they had all retreated to beneath rocks before being splashed by the advancing tide. The number of animals active was greater on full moon spring tides. Signif icantly more limpets were active on an autumn spring tide than on similar t ides in other seasons.