Use of microhabitat features for egg capsule deposition by a marine limpet

Resumen

Patagonian intertidal habitats are one of the world’s most extreme  environments for marine organisms. These have different life-history strategies to reduce the stress that they are exposed to and survive within these habitats. In this study, we search for the presence of a common grazer along the different intertidal levels, then, identify areas used for egg capsule deposition, and investigate the microhabitat features associated with them. To achieve these goals, we described biotic and abiotic microhabitat characteristics, as well as their relationship with egg capsules. We found that individuals were present from the high intertidal level to the fringe area between the mid and low levels, but not beyond this point. Egg masses were only observed within this fringe level and were closely associated with sessile organisms present in that area, such as sponges, algae, and barnacles. We propose that limpet reproductive output may be enhanced by favourable microhabitats that are related to biotic features that would protect egg masses from desiccation and potential predation.