Intraspecific home range scaling: a case study from the owl limpet (Lottia gigantea)

Abstract

Background: The owl limpet (Lottia gigantea) is an ectothermic invertebrate that inhabits the rocky intertidal zone where it territorially defends home ranges and grazes algae growing on the rocks. Among endothermic species, home range scales isometrically with body mass.Hypothesis: Home range area scales isometrically (scaling exponent ?1.0) across individuals of the owl limpet, spanning more than an order of magnitude in body mass.Field sites: Southern and central California rocky intertidal sites (n = 5; ?32.5–35.5?N).Methods: Measure home range area and body mass of individuals (n = 104). Determine the scaling exponent.Conclusions: Home range scaling across individuals of L. gigantea exhibits the same isometric relationship that is often found across endothermic species