The tenacity of Elminius modestus and Balanus perforatus cyprids to bacterial films grown under different shear regimes

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1994-02, Vol.74 (1), p.251-257
• Main Authors: Neal, A. L., Yule, A. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Balanus perforatus; Biological and medical sciences; Elminius modestus; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Marine; Protozoa. Invertebrata
• ISSN: 0025-3154; 1469-7769
• DOI: 10.1017/S0025315400035815

The tenacity of cypris larvae of the barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia) Balanus perforatus (Bruguiere) and Elminius modestus Darwin was measured on multispecies biofilms developed under contrasting shear regimes. For both species, relatively thin, dense biofilms associated with high shear (83 s-1) afforded increased tenacity over relatively thick, less dense films associated with low shear (15 s-1). Although both species showed reduced tenacity on low-shear films compared to high-shear films, E. modestus cyprids attached as strongly to low-shear films as they did to unfilmed surfaces. Balanus perforatus cyprids, however, attached less strongly to low-shear films than to unfilmed surfaces. The results show that B. perforatus and E. modestus may appreciate differences in bacterial communi-ties grown under different shear conditions and highlight the potential for biofilms as one of the many cues to barnacle settlement.