Discussion

            The results showed that there was no statistical significance in the L. obtusata's algae choice. It also showed that what algae they started on wasn't significant either. Although in the snails originally found on Fucus gave a more constant result then the ones found on Ascophyllum. Out of the ten snails originally found on the Ascophyllum, in the first trial 0% returned, but in the next trial  90% returned. These organisms don't seem to play preference when it comes to which algae they would rather be on, at least in this controlled environment. 

            Other methods could have possibly led to a more consistent data set to help determine whether the L. obtusata really do prefer one algae over the other. Some possibilities would have been to measure the snails to get the same size ones, taken more samples, or waited a longer time for the snails to make their decision, or looked at the color of their shells. Also instead of gathering them and putting them in versitainers, just taking quadrat sampling instead could have given a better sense of the snails (which may have been tough considering the Fucus is usually found under the Ascophyllum). However, this would have required a more time extensive experiment. Due to a limited time period for experimentation, and considerable time lost to preparation, an experiment of this caliber would have been unrealistic. 

            My results show that 10 snails did not choose either site. In a 1992 study, Vaughn and Fisher found that a relative of the L. obtusata, the Littoraria irrotata, tend to be more inactive in cold weather. It is possible that this finding can be applied to the L. obtustata as well. The largest percentage of inactive snails presented in the third trial, as the sun was setting and the temperature cooling.