Wave exposure effects on population structure and recruitment in the mussel Perna perna suggest regulation primarily through availability of recruits and food, not space

摘要: Recruitment and population structure of Perna perna in low shore mussel beds were investigated over 15 months at six sites along the south coast South Africa. Initial, subjective classification as wave exposed or sheltered (three each) was confirmed using dissolution cement blocks to measure average water flux dynamometers for maximum force. occurred throughout year, but recruit (1–5 mm) densities significantly higher from January April 1996 on both types. Recruit positively correlated with adult (>15 mm) types (P   0.05). Thus exposure dramatically affects density, recruitment size, not timing biomass where there is 100% cover, mediates a three-way interaction among food supply, larval supply intraspecific competition space. In contrast shores saturation recruitment, here appears be limited by constraints food, especially shores, while density regulated through space primarily small spatial scales.