Meeting Abstract

P2.82  Monday, Jan. 5  The effect of sea star predators on the retractability of the whelk Nucella lamellosa PORTIS, L.M.*; MINER, B.G.; Colby College, Waterville, ME; Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA lmportis@colby.edu

Several studies have indicated that the whelk Nucella lamellosa displays phenotypic plasticity in response to predation threat from the predatory crab Cancer productus. Less research has been performed on the phenotypic plasticity of N. lamellosa in response to another major predator, Pisaster ochraceus. This study looked to expand upon this body of research. It was found that the presence of waterborne cues from P. ochraceus induces changes in the retractability of N. lamellosa. N. lamellosa held in the presence of sea stars had greater retractability than those held without sea stars. Further, N. lamellosa exposed to sea star cue were less likely to be preyed upon by P. ochraceus than those not previously exposed to cue. Greater retractability in N. lamellosa was correlated with less mortality in the predation experiment, suggesting that retractability is an inducible defense against sea stars.