Date Awarded
1982
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Abstract
Population densities of the mud snail Ilyanassa obsoleta were manipulated in caging experiments on a salt marsh mudflat and in laboratory microcosms. Mud snails outcompete nematodes for food resources, but may increase resources available to deposit feeding groups. Mud snails reduce annelid (polychaete and oligochaete) populations by substrate disruption. Reduced annelid densities provide the nematode community with some release from predation and competition. In mudflat sediments, the nematode community responds to both primary (predation) and secondary (envirorm1ental release, food competition) interactions. Multiple levels of interactive coupling should be considered in any systems level investigation in this habitat.
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.25773/v5-8wz3-mp08
Rights
© The Author
Recommended Citation
Ludwig, David, "Effects of disruptive grazing by the mud snail Ilyanassa obsoleta on mudflat nematode populations" (1982). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. William & Mary. Paper 1539617524.
https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.25773/v5-8wz3-mp08
