*3.3.2 Statistical analysis on the annual species assemblage*

Although the total annual assemblage is high (**Table 1**) statistical analysis using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed insignificant differences in the total annual population of gastropod species (**Table 3**). Results imply stability of gastropod species assemblage due to availability of food resources to support community structure [9]. Wet rocky biota promotes massive algal growth which serves as feeding ground for gastropod species [5]. Individual gastropod species only compete for space [6], be it on the rock surface or crevices. Although gastropods are motile, they tend to move slowly thus preventing them from moving in and out of the intertidal ecosystem as a consequence of short period of tidal change [12]. These attributes explain the stability of gastropod assemblage in this particular biota.
