Ecology of New Zealand abalones,Hahotisspecies (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

Abstract

Tagging of Haliotis iris Martyn at colonies near low water, and subsequent regular observations over 18 months, showed that significant movement tended to occur only in autumn and winter when rough seas disturbed the habitat. These movements may vary from year to year depending on sea conditions. Tn contrast, subtidal colonies dispersed more gradually, seemingly disturbed by the tagging operation and subsequent rehandling. Other colonies which were not tagged remained apparently unchanged for up to 2 years. Individuals in subtidal H. australis Gmelin colonies also did not move to any great extent over this period: this species inhabits narrow crevices and appears to be a much more active animal than H. iris, both in the field and in the laboratory. Drift and attached algae were virtually absent from the crevices inhabited by H. australis and it seems likely that the species must forage to feed. A homing mechanism may be present because many older H. australis are found in deep scars on the rocks or have characteristically worn shell edges fitting the rock of their particular site. A 24‐hour watch on a tagged, subtidal colony of Haliotis iris at Kaikoura showed that there was very little movement diurnally, and it seems likely that feeding is passive; drift algae are available at most times. No evidence of homing behaviour was detected.