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Turban snail displacement rates on rocky reefs and short-term effects of handling
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Turban snail displacement rates on rocky reefs and short-term effects of handling

Kate M. Graham, Sam A. Hawke and Steven W. Purcell
Molluscan research, Vol.First online, pp.1-10
23/07/2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2026.2705806
Appears in  Recent Faculty of Science and Engineering Publications
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Published (Version of record) Open CC BY-NC-ND V4.0

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Abstract

gastropod handling stress movement shellfish tagging Tag–recapture
Data on shellfish movements inform spatial management measures and captive-release programs. Tagging of shellfish is often invasive, as animals are removed from their habitat to affix tags. Measurements soon after release in recapture studies can be confounded by handling stress. We examined short-term displacements of tagged Turbo militaris (n = 298), exploited in eastern Australia, and compared displacements between animals handled extensively or minimally. Snails were recaptured 4 and 10 days after tagging, with their displacements estimated using GPS (calculated precision ± 0.45 m). Turbo militaris had minimal short-term displacement compared to published studies on similar-sized gastropods. At two rocky shore sites, displacement rates of snails decreased significantly over time (z = –11.22; p < 0.01), with higher rates in the first four days (mean: 76 cm d−1) compared to 10 days post-tagging (mean: 31 cm d−1). Effects of handling stress (extensively vs minimally) on snail movements were inconsistent between sites (z = 4.14; p < 0.01). Turbo militaris was capable of greater mobility immediately after disturbance. The findings imply that tag–recapture studies should avoid measurements immediately after tagging due to the effects of handling stress.

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