The Effect of Shipping Activity on Growth of Lottia Strigatella and Tegula Funebralis

The Effect of Shipping Activity on Growth of Lottia strigatella and Tegula funebralis

Alex Tran and Eric Haffner

Department of Biological Sciences

SaddlebackCollege

Mission Viejo, CA92692

The objective of our project was to see if the growth sizes of common tide pool animals, such as limpets (Lottia strigatella) and turban snails (Tegula funebralis), could be affected by human shipping activity based on competition for survival and the variances in the pH and watertemperature.of the water (remove). On November 8, 2009, we measured (remove) fifteenL. strigatella and fifteenT. funebraliswere measuredfrom five different locations; Observations were first conducted in Long Beach harbor, California and proceeded starting in Long Beach harbor then proceeding (remove) south in two mile intervals. Long Beach harbor was first chosen for our ground zero location due to its well known shipping activity. because it was a hub of shipping activity. (remove) Traveling south, the magnitude of activity decreased far less each time. less and less. (remove) The (remove)Organisms were measured length wise, with a 12-inch ruler, on their ventral side. The lengths of L. strigatella increased and (remove)than that of T. funebralis decreased(remove italic)as the distance awayfrom the harbor increased. These trends were believed to be a result of the variances of competition; which were believed to have beenbe (remove) caused by fluctuations in water pH and temperature of each location.Limpet size increased as turban snails decreased, why or how? Explain variances of competition, competition against what? How did temperature and pH have an effect on the organisms, what were those temperatures and pH levels?

Introduction

This project seeks to establish a correlation between proximity to human shipping activity and growth of tidal invertebrates, particularly L. strigatella andT. funebralis. Both species are widespread throughout the southern California area; not only are they first-tier herbivores which help serve as the basis of the tidal food chain, but both are important consumers of red and green algae. Given the biological significance of these two organisms, it is important to know how they are affected by varying levels of human activity. It has been shown that small concentrations of metals in the water affect L. strigatella in a devastating manner(Marchan et al 1999). Variations of factors in the water can cause fluctuations in population density, which cause ripple effects throughout the food chain(how did you test for this, or did you?).Due to the dependence the organisms’ respective food sources have on good water quality, we hypothesize a positive correlation between mean size and distance from our initial location, known for its waters to be the most contaminated (suggested sentence).(which has the most contaminated water). (revise or remove)

Materials and Methods

Tidepool Organisms and Locations

Studies were done on limpets (Lottia strigatella) and turban snails (Tegula funebralis) at five different locations;Observations were first conducted in Long Beach harbor, California and proceeded starting in Long Beach harbor then proceeding (remove)south in two mile intervals. Long Beach harbor (latitude 33° 49' N, longitude 118° 9' W) was the first stop and ground zero for our research due to its well known shipping activity. since it was a hub of shipping activity (remove) In addition, this location was right next to the ARCO loading dock and a container ship off loading site. Fifteen L. strigatella and fifteenT. funebralis were examined at each particular location. The second location was at the intersection of Appian and Ravenna (latitude 33° 45' N, longitude 118° 7' W)and was (remove)locatedin a residential area. Our third location was at a jetty near a public beach at the intersection of 1st Street and Ocean Avenue (latitude 33° 44' N, longitude 118° 6' W). The fourth stop was at a pier next to 1580 Seal Way in Seal Beach (latitude 33° 44' N, longitude 118° 6' W). Our fifth and final stop was at the tide pools of CrescentBay in Laguna Beach(latitude 33° 32' N, longitude 117° 48' W), which was chosen as our control group.and was our control group (remove).The magnitude of shipping activity decreased as we continued to travel south.

Measurements

The measurement device favored for our research was a 12-inch ruler. On November 8, 2009, we measured (remove)fifteen L. strigatella and fifteen T. funebraliswere measurednear tide pools or rocks. At each location, the 15 organismswere carefully extracted and measured in centimeters on their ventral side. We made sure that we obtained accurate data and results by going to the tide pools approximately around noon, so there wouldn’t be high tide. (remove)Observations were conducted during low tide in order to ensure accurate data.Our results were compared running an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test,why an Anova test? and a significant difference was taken into account if the probability value was less than or equal to 0.05 (p≤ 0.05). If there was a significant difference, a Post-Hoc analysis test would have to be run.What would a Post- Hoc analysis test for?

ResultsYou do not have your results presented in the body of the paper  written in the paragraphs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The measurements of T. funebralis were first taken at Long BeachHarbor and then at four other locations as we proceeded south in two mile intervals. The sizes of T. funebralissignificantly decreased as we traveled south of Long Beach harbor.the distancefrom Long Beach increased (remove)(Figure 1).

Figure 1. Bar graph displaying the mean length, in centimeters, Label your Y-axis. of turban snails. The size of the snails significantly decreased as the distance from Long Beach increased. Error bars represent ± standard error for each location spot. (p= 0.0001, N=13)

The measurements of L. strigatella were also taken at Long Beach first and then at the other locations as stated earlier. Lengths of L. strigatellagenerally increased as the distance from Long Beach increased (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Bar graph displaying mean length, in centimeters, of limpetsLabel your Y-axis.. The size of the limpets increased as the distance from Long Beach increased. Error bars represent ± standard error for each location spot. (p= 0.0001, N= 12)

After running the ANOVA test, a post-hoc analysis had to be run because of the significant difference; f-value and p-value for both T. funebralisand L. strigatella were greater than one and less than or equal to 0.05 (Tables 1 and 2).I would delete these tables as The will mark you down “big time” for these as they do not tell you anything that is not in the body of the results. What’s the t-value for?

Table 1. Table showing (remove)indicatesthe statistical significance of turban snails. Shows if (remove). The inputted data are significant for each comparison between Long Beach and the other locations followed by their respective t-values.t-values are included (remove).

Table 2. Table showing (remove)indicatesthe statistical significance of limpets. Shows if (remove).The inputted data are significant for each comparison between Long Beach and the other locationsfollowed by their respective t-values.t-values are included.(remove).

Our results indicate there was a definite correlation between shipping activity and the growth of tide pool organisms.Expand on your last sentence. You may want to state what potential effects your findings could contribute or how your research may or may not potentially become a benefit to society or scientists. Also, how were temperatures and pH levels taken into account, how did you measure pH levels and what were your results from both of these two factors?

Discussion(don’t forget to change your font for the following!)

The collected data did not conform to all of our initial expectations. We hypothesized a positive correlation between distance from the initial location in the middle of Long Beach harbor and organism size for both T. funebralisand L. strigatella.

For L. strigatella, the correlation we hypothesized was indicated tohave supportedourdata. The smallest mean shell size were found at the initial location, with successively larger specimens being found at increased distances down the coast. We were able to establish statistical significance for the difference between mean sizes at the first location and size at all other locations, although this was not the case for successive locations. This correlation, in particular the results of the first location, can be attributed by several factors. Although L. strigatella possesses some locomotion abilities, it is primarily a stationary organism, retreating back to a “home scar” (Cook et all 1969). Ideally, the home scar is located such that the limpet is in near constant contact with water. However, in a polluted region (as was encountered in location one), this ensures that the limpet is also in constant contact with any hazardous agents in the water. Whereas snails can move in accordance with the tides, limpet locomotion is restricted, ensuring that the limpet is either drying out in the sun, or saturated with pollutants. This accounts for the lack of growth at location one and to a lesser extent location two. Also, it has been demonstrated that limpets are particularly susceptible to heavy metals in the water (Marchan et all 1999); bradycardia results from copper concentrations of 0.1g/L after one day and death follows a few days later. In areas of heavy pollution such as location one, this is not unreasonable. As the water quality increases, L. strigatella does receive any penalty for being in constant contact with the water. L. strigatella is also well suited to dealing with the increased competition at these sites; limpets are territorial and are known to physically ram organisms out of their designated patch (Shanks 2002). This plays a large factor in the success of L. strigatella in areas of good water quality and high competition, found at locations 3 and beyond. (Revise last part of sentence, not sure but it doesn’t sound right, you may want to ask Teh, I just may be wrong, or by pass.)

Although our expectations for L. strigatella were confirmed, we were surprised to find that T. funebralisshowed (remove)indicateda negative correlation between size and distance, meaning the average specimen size was largest at our initial location. We found significant differences in mean shell size between the initial location and all four successive collection sites, and also found significant differences in size between all successive sites (two compared to three, three compared to four, etc), meaning that the unknown agent responsible for the difference in sizes continued to be a factor as we traveled south along the coast.all the way down the coast (remove). A number of factors may have been be (remove)responsible. Watanabe (1984) asserts that the highest amount of T. funebralis predation occurs in deeper waters along the substrate bottom, with its main predators being fish and benthic invertebrates (most notably sea-stars). At our initial site in Long Beach harbor, the water quality could be considered noxious at best, with a noticeable oil-slick and poor light transmission qualities caused by visible amounts of inorganic debris. Because (remove). Such conditions may play ill host to fish and sea-stars, a possibility is that the proclivity of T. funebralis for this location is due to the low amounts of predation. These conditions were replicated in less extreme fashion at location two, with water clearing up markedly at locations three and beyond. These cleaner environments prove less hostile to T. funebralis’ predators, which may be responsible for increased predation and thus the (remove)demonstrated smaller organism insize. Similarly, toxic environments may give T. funebralis an advantage with regards to spatial competition. As ideal vertical location with regards to the tides is a key factor in growth (Vermeij 1972), the ability to contest the patches of tidal real estate with the correct exposure to sun, water and nutrients becomes important, particularly for the algae-feeding snails. Because turban snails do not attach as strongly to their substrate as mussels or limpets, they become increasingly uncompetitive as the amount of competition for space increases (Shanks 2002).

(Revise beginning of sentence) This accounts for the lower survivability and thus smaller sizes in locations three through five3-5 (remove), where the (remove) cleaner water results in higher competition. However, in areas of low nutrient availability and low competition (locations one and two), T. funebralis’ mobility becomes an advantage, allowing theturban snails to forage greater areas in search of food. (Suggest future directions for research, or new methods. You need a much stronger end to your paper.)

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Professor Steve Teh for his help and wise counsel in our project. The researchers would also like to thank SaddlebackCollege and the Department of Biological Sciences for allowing us to borrow equipment (what type of equipment, was this noted in your materials and methods?) needed to conduct our research. The lifeguards of Long Beach and Laguna Beach should also be acknowledged for their aid in our research.How did they aid in your research?

Literature Cited

Cook, A., Bamford, O. S., Freeman, J. D., & Teideman, D.D. (1969). A Study of the Homing

Habit of the Limpet. [Electronic version]. Animal Behaviour, 17(2), 330. doi:10.1016/0003-3472(69)90019-0.

Marchan, S., Davies, M. S., Fleming, S., & Jones, H. D. (1999). Effects of copper and zinc on

the heart rateof the limpet Patella vulgata L. [Electronic version]. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 123(1), 89-93. doi:10.1016/S1095-6433(99)00043-4.

Steen, R.G., & Muscatine, L. (1987). Low Temperature Evokes Rapid Exocytosis of

Symbiotic Algae by a Sea Anenome [Electronic version]. Marine Biological Laboratory, 172: 246-263.

Verde, A.E., McCloskey, L.R. (2007). Seasonal effects of natural light and temperature on

photosynthesis and respiration. Development 2006 September. Marine Biology, 152: 775–792.

Watanabe, J. M. (1984). The Influence of Recruitment, Competition, and Benthic Predation on

Spatial Distributions of Three Species of KelpForest Gastropods. [Electronic version]. Ecology, 65(3), 920-936.

Review Form

Department of Biological Sciences

SaddlebackCollege, Mission Viejo, CA92692

Author (s):__Alex Tran and Eric Haffner______

Title:_ The Effect of Shipping Activity on Growth of Lottia strigatella and Tegula funebralis

Summary

Summarize the paper succinctly and dispassionately. Do not criticize here, just show that you understood the paper.

This experiment established a correlation between proximity to human shipping activity and growth of tidal invertebrates for the following two organisms: L. strigatella and T. funebralis.These organisms have been recognized to be all along the coast of Southern California and were chosen for this project as they help serve as the basis of the tidal food chain. Given the biological significance of these two organisms, it is important to know how they are affected by varying levels of human activity. Variations of factors in the water can cause fluctuations in population density, which cause ripple effects throughout the food chain. Extinction of such organisms may potentially have a big impact in other marine organisms caused by human shipping activity.

The author’s results indicated a significant difference in size as they traveled south along the coast, as they traveled farther away from the shipping activity located in Long BeachCalifornia.

They hypothesized a positive correlation between mean size and distance from their initial location. Their data however, did not conform to their initial expectations. Several factors may have caused their results to be contradicting and theunknown agent responsible for the difference in sizes continued to be a factor. Further experiments would need to be taken in order to provide accurate data and or increase distance of locations or compare one human shipping activity from another.

General Comments

Generally explain the paper’s strengths and weaknesses and whether they are serious, or important to our current state of knowledge.

The purpose of this project would be useful for scientist to assist with future studies as they may use the results to alert the public and the government of the potential concerns the shipping industry may have an effect on the marine wildlife. Therefore, they would place a demand for stricter guidelines on the shipping industry.

The authors need to revise their grammar and edit a few graphs. Overall, I believe their study was of importance because of the potential threats our oceans are currently encountering. These results may ultimately cause a threat to humans if we do not take immediate action in protecting our oceans.

Technical Criticism

Review technical issues, organization and clarity. Provide a table of typographical errors, grammatical errors, and minor textual problems. It's not the reviewer's job to copy Edit the paper, mark the manuscript.

This paper was a final versionThis paper was a rough draft