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Physiological condition of Balanus amphitrite cyprid larvae determines habitat selection success

Publication ,  Journal Article
Tremblay, R; Olivier, F; Bourget, E; Rittschof, D
Published in: Marine Ecology Progress Series
June 18, 2007

A field experiment was used to assess the relationship between the physiological condition of barnacle larvae and habitat selectivity at settlement. Three experiments were carried out on methacrylate (Plexiglas) disks precolonized with biofilms of different ages (0, 7, 14 and 21 d) that were arranged within 3 blocks and placed at 3 intertidal positions corresponding to the upper limit, mid zone and lower limit of the adult Balanus amphitrite (Darwin) habitat. To limit the effect of post-settlement mortality, each experiment was conducted over 2 full tidal cycles only. During these periods, larvae in the water column were sampled and abundance estimated at each high tide at the depths corresponding to the 3 intertidal positions. Larval physiological condition was assessed using lipid classes analyzed by liquid chromatography. Ratios of total triacylglycerols to sterol content (TAG/ST) were used to quantify the energy status of larvae. Our results indicate that the cyprids' TAG levels reflect the level of settlement success independent of cyprid abundance in the water column. Intertidal position and biofilm characteristics were significant factors determining the settlement success with respect to cyprid energy content. The number and the energy content of settling cyprids were maximal on clean surfaces and decreased gradually with the degree of biofilm precolonization. Our study shows (1) the importance of lipid levels, particularly TAG, in habitat discrimination at small temporal scales in B. amphitrite cyprids and (2) that larval energy content is a critical variable for understanding benthic-pelagic coupling. © Inter-Research 2007.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Marine Ecology Progress Series

DOI

ISSN

0171-8630

Publication Date

June 18, 2007

Volume

340

Start / End Page

1 / 8

Related Subject Headings

  • Marine Biology & Hydrobiology
  • 4102 Ecological applications
  • 3109 Zoology
  • 3103 Ecology
  • 0608 Zoology
  • 0602 Ecology
  • 0405 Oceanography
 

Citation

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Tremblay, R., Olivier, F., Bourget, E., & Rittschof, D. (2007). Physiological condition of Balanus amphitrite cyprid larvae determines habitat selection success. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 340, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps340001
Tremblay, R., F. Olivier, E. Bourget, and D. Rittschof. “Physiological condition of Balanus amphitrite cyprid larvae determines habitat selection success.” Marine Ecology Progress Series 340 (June 18, 2007): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps340001.
Tremblay R, Olivier F, Bourget E, Rittschof D. Physiological condition of Balanus amphitrite cyprid larvae determines habitat selection success. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 2007 Jun 18;340:1–8.
Tremblay, R., et al. “Physiological condition of Balanus amphitrite cyprid larvae determines habitat selection success.” Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 340, June 2007, pp. 1–8. Scopus, doi:10.3354/meps340001.
Tremblay R, Olivier F, Bourget E, Rittschof D. Physiological condition of Balanus amphitrite cyprid larvae determines habitat selection success. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 2007 Jun 18;340:1–8.
Journal cover image

Published In

Marine Ecology Progress Series

DOI

ISSN

0171-8630

Publication Date

June 18, 2007

Volume

340

Start / End Page

1 / 8

Related Subject Headings

  • Marine Biology & Hydrobiology
  • 4102 Ecological applications
  • 3109 Zoology
  • 3103 Ecology
  • 0608 Zoology
  • 0602 Ecology
  • 0405 Oceanography