Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-5mhkq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-09-18T23:57:14.368Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Seasonal patterns in the reproductive activity of barnacle-dwelling littorinids

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2000

Lisa J. Johnson ,
Peter J. Mill ,
Susan L. Hull ,
Paul Ducrotoy  and
Kevin J. Caley
Lisa J. Johnson
Affiliation:
University College Scarborough, Filey Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 3AZ, UK
Peter J. Mill
Affiliation:
University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
Susan L. Hull
Affiliation:
University College Scarborough, Filey Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 3AZ, UK
Paul Ducrotoy
Affiliation:
University College Scarborough, Filey Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 3AZ, UK
Kevin J. Caley
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The reproductive activity of a population of barnacle-dwelling littorinids at Peak Steel, on the north-east coast of England, was investigated. Variation in the number of mature males and females, expressed as a percentage of the whole population, showed a marked difference among the barnacle-dwelling littorinids. Littorina neglecta displayed a distinct seasonal component to its reproductive activity, with a peak in early summer. Littorina arcana B also displayed a distinct seasonal component, with a lull in the summer months. However, L. saxatilis B maintained its reproductive activity all year, but with an increase in output in the summer. The reproductive activity of both L. arcana B and L. saxatilis B follow similar patterns of reproductive activity as their typical non barnacle-dwelling forms, suggesting that these are true barnacle-dwelling ecotypes. The controversy surrounding the specific status of L. neglecta is also discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 80 , Issue 5 , October 2000 , pp. 821 - 826
Copyright
2000 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)