Seasonal Morphometric Variations of the Rustic Limpet Patella rustica (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Coastal Waters of Susah, Eastern Libya

Abstract

Seasonal morphometric variations in the rustic limpet, Patella rustica Linnaeus, 1758, were evaluated over a full annual cycle in the rocky intertidal zone of Susah, eastern Libya. A sampling size of 120 individuals (n = 30 per season) was analyzed for shell length, width, height, and total wet weight using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Tukey's post-hoc comparisons, and Pearson correlation tests. All morphometric parameters displayed significant seasonal fluctuations (p < 0.001), reaching maximum values during summer (mean length: 32.05 \pm 2.84 \text{mm}$; mean weight: 11.18 \pm 1.78 \text{g}) and minimum values in winter (mean length: 20.04 \pm 3.63 \text{mm}; mean weight: 3.64 \pm 1.58 \text{g}). Strong positive inter-parameter correlations were established (r = 0.454 - 0.883, p < 0.001). exhibiting a summer peak and a winter decline. These dynamics indicate that seawater temperature and resource availability primarily regulate growth trajectories and biomass accumulation in P. rustica, establishing essential baseline metrics for local ecological assessments and conservation planning.