The intertidal zone can be difficult to live. Looking at your data, how did the tide affect each species of snail?

Answer 1

Based on the data provided, the tide seemed to have different effects on the two species of snails - the Nerita and Littorina.

For the Nerita snails, their population density was consistently higher during low tide compared to high tide. This suggests that Nerita snails prefer the low tide environment and thrive better when the water level is relatively lower. They may have adapted to this intertidal zone by being better equipped to tolerate lower water levels and fluctuations in water availability during low tide.

On the other hand, the Littorina snails showed the opposite population trend. Their population density was higher during high tide and lower during low tide. This indicates that Littorina snails are better adapted to the high tide environment. They may have specific adaptations that allow them to benefit from the increased water levels, such as accessing more food sources or avoiding potential predators.

Overall, the tide seems to have contrasting effects on the population densities of the two snail species, highlighting their different strategies for survival in the intertidal zone.