THE ECOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF MUD SNAIL BATILLARIA CUMINGII AS AN ECOSYSTEM ENGINEER.

Abstract

 We conducted field observations and experiments on a natural tidal flat to elucidate the ecological function of the mud snail; Batillaria cumingii and species interactions among B. cumingii, the hermit crab; Pagurus minutus, and benthic diatoms. In the natural tidal flat, 77.5% of P. minutus used the empty shells of B. cumingii. Although separately enclosed B. cumingii and P. minutus decreased the density of diatoms, this effect was reduced by mixed treatment. B. cumingii, as an ecosystem engineer, supplied a habitat for P. mintus and facilitated nutrient cycling but these functions were lost in an artificial tidal flat. We need to consider such an ecologically important species on a preferential basis while creating valuable tidal flats.