Behavioural adaptation of the gastropod Nerita polita L. on different shores at Aldabra Atoll

Abstract

On different shores of Aldabra Atoll, Indian Ocean, the intertidal gastropod Nerita polita L. is mostly active during nocturnal low tide and digs into the sand during high tide and diurnal low tide. Nevertheless, the species shows a plasticity in both temporal (exploitation of the emersion time during nocturnal low tide) and spatial (short-term move­ments) components of its activity. The study showed that snails inhabiting different shores are behaviourally adapted to the actual morphology of the coast and its exposure to wave action.