Distribution Characteristics of Limpets Inhabiting the Rocky Intertidal Zone of the Western and Southern Coast of South Korea

As a primary grazer in intertidal ecosystems, limpets play a key role in regulating algal cover and maintaining community structure. Therefore, the distribution and species composition of limpets can serve as effective biological indicators to assess the ecological health and environmental change of coastal ecosystems. We examined the distribution of limpets inhabiting rocky intertidal zones along the western and southern coast of South Korea. Based on this, we analyzed their abundance, number of species, and species diversity. Field surveys were conducted in three sites on each coast (western coast, Yamido, Sinsido, Daejangdo and southern coast, Geojedo, Tongyeong, Namhaedo) using the line transect method during low tides. A total of 345 individuals belonging to nine species were confirmed to be distributed. the western coast tended to show lower abundance, number of species, and species diversity, whereas the southern coast tended to exhibit relatively higher values. These patterns may be associated with regional differences in tidal amplitude, substrate type, and wave exposure. The lower values of limpets in the western coast reflects adaptation of a few tolerant species to high environmental stress, while the higher values of limpets in the southern coast results from more complex and stable habitats. This study provides fundamental distribution data for understanding biogeographical variations in limpet assemblages. In addition, this study will contribute to future biodiversity monitoring and coastal ecosystem management in South Korea.