Barnacle larvae actively select flow environments supporting post-settlement growth and survival |
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Authors: | Larsson Ann I Jonsson Per R |
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Institution: | Tj?rn? Marine Biological Laboratory, Department of Marine Ecology, G?teborg University, SE-452 96 Str?mstad, Sweden. ann.larsson@tmbl.gu.se |
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Abstract: | Many marine dispersive propagules select specific settlement sites based on a range of environmental cues. However, the link between larval choice and post-settlement growth and survival is still poorly understood. Here we show that cypris larvae of the barnacle Balanus improvisus actively reject surfaces exposed to local flow speeds exceeding 5-10 cm/s. Field experiments show that post-settlement growth and survival decline in freestream flows above 15 cm/s. Moreover, studies in flume flow at local speeds exceeding 10 cm/s reveal that early juveniles show reduced feeding rates caused by deformation of the cirral fan, reduced retention efficiency, and a decrease in time spent feeding. We conclude that cypris larvae actively reject flow environments that will be suboptimal for suspension feeding in the early post-settlement phase. Our study suggests that larval choice can be adaptively connected to a specific part of the life cycle, in this case the very sensitive time after metamorphosis. |
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