Determination of California mussel growth rates at varying positions within the intertidal zone

A continuation of the same project from Application# 24887. We intend to obtain oxygen isotope growth profiles from the shells of California mussels living at different elevations within the intertidal zone and into subtidal waters at two locations on Santa Cruz Island: Willows Anchorage and Fraser Point. Mussels will be transplanted to a series of relatively regularly spaced positions through the intertidal zones and into subtidal waters at the two locations. They will be protected within plastic mesh "cages," and temperature data collectors will be placed beside them. Approximately 6 months later the mussels will be collected for the oxygen isotope analysis. The isotope information will allow us to determine how mussels respond to variation in water temperature and intervals of subaerial exposure. This information will be useful in understanding the effects of habitat variation on mussel growth and the mussel collecting strategies of prehistoric peoples on the island who depended on mussels as a food resource.