The endangered status of Patella ferruginea in a limpet assemblage hotspot (Plane Island: South West Alboran, Mediterranean Sea): Local distribution factors and species abundance

Abstract

Limpets constitute an important key species in the intertidal zone. The limpets’ assemblage is evaluated in Plane Island (Paloma Island, Algerian West coast) by detailed censuses which were performed in 8 zones in the main island and 9 islets. Results allowed the estimation of a total population of 3993 of the endangered Patella ferruginea (1.78ind/m), 1861 P. rustica (0.82ind/m), and 383 of the blue Mediterranean limpet P. caerulea (0.17 ind/m). The ferruginous limpet distribution around Plane Island was influenced by abiotic factors as hydrodynamics and the sea current direction. Conversely, anthropogenic factors had an important impact despite the island's distance from the mainland. This study finds that in the face of global warming, the island surface will be reduced, however limpets will have an important contribution to the island's areas and its conservation of biodiversity.