Meeting Abstract
Most recent studies investigating tide pool phenomena have been field based and used constructed barriers or plots within natural intertidal zones; however, this environment can be challenging to control and manipulate. In this study, artificial tide pools were developed to mimic natural conditions in the laboratory. Replicate tide pools were constructed using plastic barrels with standpipes, submersible pumps, and head tanks to control the tidal stage and were equipped with video cameras for data collection. Using these replicated systems, we were able to control the tidal cycle, including the duration of exposure to flooding and ebbing as well as the length of the slack high and low tides. Oxygen profiles showed high oxygenation during flooding and high tides, while dissolved oxygen depleted as expected during the isolation of low tide. The dwarf hermit crab (Pagurus longicarpus) was then used to observe habitat selection of four substrate options (gravel, cobbles, sea grass, or no substrate) during different tidal stages within the artificial systems. Crabs survived well during six hour experiments and behaved as expected, including display of aggressive behaviors toward each other (including cannibalism). Analysis of 132 hours of video footage revealed that P. longicarpus moved freely among the habitat types during high and low tide periods, typically occupying the same area for a two hour period. This data suggests that the artificial tide pools function as a reasonable mesocosm and will allow researchers to test specific variables of interest, control for variation, and study tidal organisms under replicated, closed-circulation systems.
