Comparison of protected and exploited tooth shell populations (Neritascabricosta) on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Tooth snails, Neritascabricosta (Gastropoda: Neritidae) are gathered for food along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.   Snails occur on both vertical and horizontal surfaces of rocky intertidal benches. We assessed snail density, size distribution, and spatial dispersion patternof these snails at three sites with progressively decreasing levels of protection from human access:  (1) San Miguel Biological Station in the Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve, closed to the public since 1963; (2) Playa Los Suecos, an area of limited public access just north of the biological station, and (3) Los Banquillos, north of Playa Los Suecos, approximately three kilometers north of the station and readily accessible and regularly visited by the local community and the public at large.  Snails in all sample areas showed a clumped spatial dispersion pattern. The largest snails were present in San Miguel where no collecting was permitted.  Large snails were fewest in the area where the public had unlimited access, and an intermediate density of large shells was present where limited access was permitted. This study suggests that protection of this species within the reserve has been effective.