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University of Wales, Bangor, Marine Science Laboratories, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Wales, LL59 5AB The Ecology, Age and Growth of Two Muricacean Gastropods from Shores of Kuwait Lujain J. Alsayegh BSc, MSc School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, Marine Science Laboratories, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Wales, LL59 5AB Submitted in accordance With the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2015 Summary Two predatory muricid gastropods, Thalessa savignyi and Ergalatax junionae commonly occur on the rocky intertidal shores of Kuwait. Three shores, Ra’s Ajūzah, Ra’s Eqaila and Ra’s al Qulay’ah between the north and south of Kuwait covering a distance of ~90Km, were studied to determine the geographical and seasonal abundance of these two muricids. Thalessa savignyi was absent from Ra’s Ajūzah in the north, but increased in abundance towards the south of Kuwait. By contrast the smaller gastropod E. junionae was present on the three shores but decreased in abundance towards the southernmost site, Ra’s al Qulay’ah. Thalessa savignyi prefers rocky platforms and associated fissures which are present on the southern shore whilst small boulders and crevices on the shores in the north of Kuwait were favoured by E. junionae. Egg laying by both species occurred in the laboratory in late June and these egg masses hatched ~30days later in late July. Intertidal recruitment of juveniles (<10mm) appeared into the populations at Ra´s Ajūzah and Ra´s Eqaila between October and January whilst no recruitment was observed at Ra´s al Qulay´ah. Polymodal size frequency distributions in some of the populations were separated into their component size (age) classes using the method of Bhattacharya. Using these estimates of the modal size and ages, Von Bertalanffy growth (VBG) curves were constructed to compare the growth of both species. Thalessa savignyi grew faster than E. junionae and both grew faster at Ra´s al Qulay´ah compared with the other two sites. Growth rings on the operculum and in the statoliths were used to estimate the age of T. savingnyi and E. junionae. Age estimates using whole and polished sections of the operculae were problematic because rings could not be seen through the thick and opaque operculum of T. savignyi. The operculum of E. junionae was thin and transparent but the number of rings counted was almost double those found in the statoliths. Operculae sections did not reveal clear growth rings. A latitudinal variation in the definition and the number of weak growth rings in the statoliths was observed. Generally rings in statoliths of both muricids from the northern sites in Kuwait were clearly defined and they contained less weak rings than statoliths from muricids from the southern site. These statoliths contained a wide variety of strongly and weakly defined rings. It was established from seasonal collections that statolith growth rings are deposited annually between November and January. A larval ring, deposited during the period of life in the egg and a settlement ring, formed at the time of metamorphosis from the plankton, were validated in developing T. savignyi larvae in egg masses and from newly hatched larvae. The age of both species was determined successfully using statoliths and VBG population growth curves constructed. Thalessa savignyi was found to be a faster growing species with a shorter longevity (4 years) than the smaller, longer- lived (5 years) and slower growing E. junionae. In the laboratory both muricids were found to be predators of the tube worm Septibranchia krausii and the mussel Brachidontes variabilis. A comprehensive seasonal survey of the three intertidal shores documented the tidal distributions of the macrofauna and macroalgae. No correlation between the presence of potential prey species and the distribution of T. savignyi and E. junionae was found. vi Acknowledgments As I started my PhD study I have passed so many wonderful experiences as well as heartbreaking. I am extremely lucky to have so many people there in each moment supporting me with all love, without them I wouldn’t be here today writing the final words. Mum and Dad, I am so blessed having you in my life. My words will never give back not even a tiny fraction of what you gave to me. My soul mate and much loved husband “Abdulaziz”, the fruits have reaped today because of your support, patience, and understanding. My daughter Dhiya you are the most wonderful thing that I had in my life. It was the most challenging experience to have you while doing my PhD study, alone and far away from home and family. You filled my life with smiles that always motivates me and make me strong to achieve my goals. My best ever friend Zainab Al- Wazzan you were always there beside me encourage me when I am weak as well you helping me at field thank you from the bottom of my heart. Bushra and Najoud thank you for all your support. This work would not be completed without the assistance of so many people. I would like to express my sincere gratitude at first to my supervisor Professor Chris Richardson, Head of the School of Ocean Sciences, for his continuous guidance in my research and all the precious hours that he spent with me helping and correcting my writing language. Thank you Dr Mohsen Al- Husaini, Fish ageing laboratory of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), for providing me working space and materials I needed for my experiments and thank you for all your support. A heartfelt thanks extends to Dr Salah Al- Mudhi, former General Director of Kuwait Environment Public Authority for all his support and encouragement. Thank you to Mr David Roberts for viii the help in taken photographs used in this thesis. My sincere gratitude goes to Dr Khaled Al-Salem, Coastal and Air Pollution Department (KISR); Captin Abdullah A. Al- Qallaf, Harbour Master of al Ahmadi port; Mrs Salma Marafie, Kuwait Ports Authority and Mr Hassan Abdullah Dashti, Head of the Department of Climate Kuwait at Meterological Center for providing me with the environmental data. Thank you to Dr David Ried and Ronald Houart for all the help with identification of the studied gastropods. Finally, my thanks goes to Mr. Jamal Al- Abdullah Manager of Sea Shells Resort at Ra's al Qulay ah for allowing me to access the resort during my field work. ix Contents SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................. X ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..................................................................................................... X CONTENT .............................................................................................................................. X CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION .................................................................. 1 CHAPTER TWO: ENVIRONMAL SETTING OF THE STUDIED SHORES .................. 21 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 23 STUDY AREAS ................................................................................................................... 25 REFRENCES .......................................................................................................................... 44 CHAPTER THREE: DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE AND MORPHOLOGY OF THALESSA SAVIGNYI AND ERGALATAX JUNIONAE......................................................... 45 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 46 MATERIAL AND METHODS ................................................................................................... 51 SAMPLING THE SHORE....................................................................................................... 51 MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS ............................................................................................. 53 SHORE PROFILING ............................................................................................................. 54 DETERMINATION OF TIDAL RANGE AND TIMING OF IMMERSION AND EMERSION AT STATIONS .......................................................................................................................... 55 RESULTS ............................................................................................................................... 57 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION ......................................................................................... 57 ANALYSIS OF SHELL MORPHOLOGY .................................................................................. 65 DISCUSSION .......................................................................................................................... 65 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................ 75 REFRENCES .......................................................................................................................... 76 CHAPTER FOUR: POPULATION STRUCTURE, RECRUITMENT AND GROWTH ... 83 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 84 MATERIAL AND METHODS ................................................................................................... 87 LENGTH FREQUENCY DATA ............................................................................................... 87 AGE AND GROWTH ............................................................................................................ 91 RESULTS ..............................................................................................................................
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