On the antennular secretion of the cyprid ofBalanus amphitrite amphitrite, and its role as a settlement pheromone

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In exploring a substratum, Balanus amphitrite amphitrite Darwin (Crustacea: Cirripedia) cyprids deposit ‘footprints’ of antennular secretion. The results of in vitro settlement assays suggest that in addition to serving as a temporary adhesive, the secretion acts as a pheromone, in that its presence induces the settlement of conspecific cyprids. This result is in accord with a previous study on Balanus balanoides (L.)(=Semibalanus balanoides). In settlement assays, the pheromone is likely to contribute to an observed positive linear relationship between settlement and cyprid density. The density effect should thus be an important consideration in the design of barnacle settlement assays. In the field, cyprid searching behaviour may render a surface more attractive to settlement by cypris larvae.

This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit: