Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
5-1-2025
Disciplines
Biology
Advisor
Kristina Timmerman, Trevor Keyler
Abstract
Mangroves play a crucial role as shoreline aquatic nurseries and provide infrastructure along bodies of water to protect inland areas from extreme weather and storm surges. Mangroves also provide a secure habitat for animals, and trap and filter pollutants. Their stilt roots provide shelter for fish species and are critical to the survival of many small species that use this ecosystem. We investigated mangrove periwinkle snail populations on the red mangrove species (Rhizophora mangle). Data was collected along Pigeon Creek, San Salvador Island, Bahamas in March 2025. We hypothesized that there is a relationship between mangrove density and snail population size. If this hypothesis is correct, we expected to observe more snails in areas with higher mangrove stilt density. In six randomly selected areas along the creek (area size ranged from 1x2ft to 4x4ft) we conducted a mark and recapture study of snails. Each day, snail numbers were recorded and each was marked with a small dot of nail polish. Each subsequent day, the recaptured snail numbers were recorded and any new snails found were marked. A positive correlation between mangrove stilt density and snail numbers was documented, as our hypothesis had predicted. Based on these data results, we can conclude that mangrove density is important to mangrove periwinkle snail populations.
Recommended Citation
Jones, Anna; Kolbow, Eva; Petschel, Lucy; and Stone, Morgan, "Positive Impact of Mangroves on Periwinkle Snail (Littoraria angulifera) Population Size" (2025). Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-). 293.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/ur_cscday/293
