Cymbium spp. (Gastropoda: Mollusca) as bivalve predators at the tidal flats of the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 949-953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim J. Wolff ◽  
Francesc Montserrat
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Tidal Flats ◽  
Predation Pressure ◽  
Banc D’Arguin ◽  
Sandy Sediments ◽  
Banc D'arguin

Two species of the genus of large gastropods Cymbium were observed on the tidal flats of the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania: C. pepo and C. tritonis. Average densities on a flat studied in detail were 0·0009 and 0·0014 individuals per m2, respectively. Both species leave the tidal flats in April and are absent until at least September. Their density on the tidal flats was maximal on sandy sediments. Probably the distribution of their prey species determines the distribution of Cymbium. Prey species observed were the bivalves Anadara senilis (97%), and an occasional Solen vagina and Venerupis sp. The annual predation pressure of Cymbium on intertidal Anadara was estimated to be <1%.

Fouille de la butte de FA 10 (Banc d'Arguin) et son apport à la connaissance de la culture épipaléolithique de Foum Arguin, nord-ouest du Sahara

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Vernet ◽  
Marcel Ott ◽  
Liliane Tarrou ◽  
Annabelle Gallin ◽  
Jade Géoris-Creuseveau
Keyword(s):  
Banc D’Arguin ◽  
Banc D'arguin

Banc d’Arguin (Mauritania)

2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Antonio Araujo ◽  
Pierre Campredon
Keyword(s):  
Banc D’Arguin ◽  
Banc D'arguin

scholarly journals Long-term changes in seagrass and benthos at Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania, the premier intertidal system along the East Atlantic Flyway

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. e01364
Author(s):  
El-Hacen M. El-Hacen ◽  
Mohamed A. Sidi Cheikh ◽  
Tjeerd J. Bouma ◽  
Han Olff ◽  
Theunis Piersma
Keyword(s):  
East Atlantic ◽  
Long Term Changes ◽  
Atlantic Flyway ◽  
Banc D’Arguin ◽  
East Atlantic Flyway ◽  
Banc D'arguin

Comments on Guimarães & Sawaya. Pretending to be venomous: is a snake's head shape a trustworthy signal to a predator?

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janne K. Valkonen ◽  
Johanna Mappes
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Adaptive Significance ◽  
Predation Pressure ◽  
Olfactory Cues ◽  
Head Shape ◽  
Venomous Snake ◽  
Avian Predators ◽  
Empirical Experiment ◽  
Plasticine Models

Several species of non-venomous snake are known to flatten their heads when disturbed, and this behaviour has been suggested to be a mimicry of vipers (Arnold & Ovenden 2002, Hailey & Davies 1986, Young et al. 1999). Using plasticine models, Guimarães & Sawaya (2011) tested the antipredatory function of a triangular head shape in snakes. Their article presents the first published empirical experiment testing the adaptive significance of vipers' triangular head shape. Guimarães & Sawaya (2011) found no support for the viper mimicry hypothesis. Accordingly, they concluded that ‘the shape of [the] head seemed not to confer advantage itself’. Although the use of plasticine models is a generally accepted method of testing predation pressure on snakes, we argue that the experiment may have failed to find the antipredatory function of triangulation due to the pooling of attacks by mammalian and avian predators. Mammals generally rely on olfactory cues during foraging. Plasticine has a strong odour which does not resemble the odour of any prey species. It is thus unlikely that mammals would treat snake replicas as true snakes.

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