
%0 Journal Article
%A Phillips, BF 
%A Campbell, NA 
%T Mortality and longevity in the whelk <I>Dicathais orbita</I> (Gmelin)
%J Marine and Freshwater Research
%D 1974/03/01
%V 25
%N 1
%P 25-33
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/MF9740025
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/MF9740025 
%X A population of the whelk Dicathais orbita (Gmelin) at Fish-Hook Bay, Rottnest Island, in Western Australia, was found to have a high annual mortality and hence a low average life expectancy. A longevity of 19 years has been estimated but the average life expectancy is not more than 5 years. The mortality rate of the animals on the reef platforms (1-S = 0.46; M = 0.62) was found to be independent of age. A life table for D. orbita is presented and discussed, and these data compared with data on some other predatory gastropods. 
