The population dynamics of Batillaria zonalis, an opportunistic feeder, were examined in the Yone intertidal flat on Okinawa Island, Japan, from January 2001 to December 2002. Batillaria zonalis was the most dominant species, although other gastropods were present (B. flectosiphonata and Cerithidea cingulata). The highest density and biomass of B. zonalis were observed during the winter. Batillaria zonalis reached 21.0 mm in its first year of life and a maximum length of 31.5 mm in 9 years, as estimated from von Bertalanffy growth curve parameters. Batillaria zonalis recruited at least four times during the two years, but younger individuals (shell length < 21 mm) were at very low densities compared with a previous study. The small number of recruits and the low density of younger specimens may not sustain the B. zonalis population. Its food sources, the macroalga Ulva pertusa and chlorophyll-a in seawater and sediment, peaked at different times of the year. The season of highest U. pertusa coverage seemed to support the highest B. zonalis biomass. The B. zonalis population declined following a decrease in U. pertusa. The surviving B. zonalis probably lived off a chlorophyll-a in the sediment and seawater; therefore, the population is probably maintained by opportunistic feeding.
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