Practical 18.

6
Using mark–release–recapture to estimate the size of a
population of snails

Safety
Be aware of any possible dangers or biohazards in the fieldwork site. Discuss the risk assessment with
your teacher.

Wear gloves if required.

Wash hands after handling biological material.

Apparatus and materials

• non-toxic waterproof paint or nail varnish • bucket
• small paintbrush

Introduction
In this practical, you will:
• use the mark–release–recapture method to estimate the size of a population of terrestrial snails.

The mark–release–recapture method can be used to estimate the total population of a mobile animal
living in a well-defined area. A sample of the population is caught and marked in a non-harmful way.
The animals are then released back into their habitat and left to mix with the rest of the population.
After a suitable period of time, a second sample is taken and the numbers of marked and unmarked
individuals is counted. The proportion of marked individuals in the second sample is used to estimate
the size of the total population.

Procedure
1 Select a terrestrial habitat containing a sizeable population of an identifiable species of snail. The
habitat must be a well-defined one, such as a small walled garden.
2 Collect as many snails as possible from the habitat. Mark each snail with a small spot of non-toxic
waterproof paint or nail varnish applied to the shell. Keep the snails in a bucket until the paint has
dried.
3 Count the marked snails and return them to their habitat. Replace them evenly throughout the area.
4 After 3 days, collect a second sample of snails from the habitat. You should collect them at the
same time of day as you collected the first sample.
5 Record the number of marked and unmarked snails in the second sample.
6 Calculate the total population of snails from the formula:
Estimated population size = number in first sample × total number in second sample
number of marked individuals in second sample

Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology © Cambridge University Press 2014 1

7 A student carried out this investigation. The results were:
 number of snails in first sample = 63
 number of snails in second sample = 78
 number of marked snails in second sample = 15
Calculate the population size from these data.
8 Why should both samples be collected at the same time of day?
Hint: think about the feeding habits of the snails.
9 Why is this method only suitable for a species living in a well-defined habitat?
10 Explain the importance of the following limitations of the sampling method:
a the marking technique must not harm the snails or make them more easily seen
b the capture technique must not alter the habitat
c there must be no immigration or emigration of snails from the habitat.

Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology © Cambridge University Press 2014 2