Aspects of the Ecology of Tympanotonus fuscatus var fuscatus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Mangrove Swamps of the Upper Bonny River, Niger Delta, Nigeria

摘要

This study examines some aspects of the ecology of Tympanotonus fuscatus var fuscatus in the mangrove swamps of the upper Bonny River, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Salinity of the habitat fluctuated between 1.2 and 23.3mg/l throughout the year. The pH and dissolved oxygen content recorded were stable. Soil deposits consisted of sandy peat with little organic matter and silt. Sediment analysis however showed no significant differences for the stations. Salinity, nature of bottom deposits, water depth and currents are factors that affect their distribution. T. fuscatus is euryhaline, surviving in waters with wide range of salinities 0.1mg/l to 25mg/l. The two gastropods that co-habit the mud-flat with T. fuscatus are Neritina adansoniana and Pachymelania fusca var quadriseriata.