Abstract:

Density, biomass, shell repair frequency, and body size metrics for Littoraria irrorata were determined from two replicate plots along a transect at five distance points from the marsh edge in five regions in southeastern Louisiana between the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers in June, August and September of 2016. Spartina alterniflora stem density, height, leaf carbon, and leaf nitrogen stoichiometry were also obtained at each plot, along with depth of standing water on the marsh when present. Density data for Melampus bidentatus and Neritina usnea are also presented. Data for Littoraria irrorata shell length and width, aperture length and width, ridge thickness, and repair frequency are presented as means. Data for individuals are presented in GRIIDC Dataset R4.x264.197:0003.

Suggested Citation:

Roberts, Brian J.. 2018. Plot level distribution and body metrics for Littoraria irrorata and Spartina alterniflora stem density, height, and C/N stoichiometry in southeastern Louisiana salt marshes, June-September 2016. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7GQ6W4T

Publications:

Rietl, A. J., Sorrentino, M. G., & Roberts, B. J. (2018). Spatial distribution and morphological responses to predation in the salt marsh periwinkle. Ecosphere, 9(6), e02316. doi:10.1002/ecs2.2316

Purpose:

This dataset was developed to understand the ecological distribution, body size metrics, allometry, and relationship to the dominant plant species (S. alterniflora) of the salt marsh periwinkle Littoraria irrorata.

Data Parameters and Units:

Year: Year of sampling Date: Date of sampling Region: Region of collection Region ID: CO = Cocodrie, EB = East Barataria, OB = Oyster Bayou, PF = Port Fourchon, TB = Terrebonne Bay Site: Site identifier Latitude (decimal degrees) Longitude (decimal degrees) Distance from marsh edge (m): Location of sampling plots in the marsh Plot: plot sampled (A and B, replicate plots) Melampus bidentatus density (# of indiv./m2): The density (number of individuals per square meter) of Melampus bidentatus within each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Neritina usnea density (# of indiv./m2): The density (number of individuals per square meter) of Neritina usnea within each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Littoraria irrorata density (# of indiv./m2): The density (number of individuals per square meter) of Littoraria irrorata within each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Littoraria irrorata biomass (g/m2): Total biomass of Littoraria irrorata in grams per square meter within each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Littoraria irrorata shell length (mm): Mean shell length in millimeters of Littoraria irrorata from each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Littoraria irrorata shell width (mm): Mean shell width in millimeters of Littoraria irrorata from each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Littoraria irrorata aperture length (mm): Mean aperture opening length in millimeters of Littoraria irrorata from each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Littoraria irrorata aperture width (mm): Mean aperture opening width in millimeters of Littoraria irrorata from each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Littoraria irrorata posterior ridge thickness (mm): Mean posterior ridge thickness of the aperture opening in millimeters of Littoraria irrorata from each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Littoraria irrorata central ridge thickness (mm): Mean central ridge thickness of the aperture opening in millimeters of Littoraria irrorata from each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Littoraria irrorata anterior ridge thickness (mm): Mean anterior ridge thickness of the aperture opening in millimeters of Littoraria irrorata from each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Littoraria irrorata repair frequency: Mean shell repair frequency, calculated as number of shell scars divided by the total number of snails in a plot, for each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Water depth (cm): Depth of standing water on the marsh surface in centimeters for each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Spartina alterniflora density (stems/m2): Stem density of Spartina alterniflora in number of stems per square meter for each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Spartina alterniflora height (cm): Mean height of Spartina alterniflora stems in centimeters for each plot (A and B) at each distance point from the marsh edge Carbon in Spartina alterniflora Leaf Tissue (mg): The amount of carbon in milligrams of Spartina alterniflora leaf tissue at each distance point from the marsh edge Nitrogen in Spartina alterniflora Leaf Tissue (mg): The amount of nitrogen in milligrams of Spartina alterniflora leaf tissue at each distance point from the marsh edge

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