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Recruitment of the limpet Patella ulyssiponensis and its relationship with crustose coralline algae: patterns of juvenile distribution and larval settlement

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 November 2019

M. I. Seabra Open the ORCID record for M. I. Seabra [Opens in a new window] ,
T. Cruz ,
J. N. Fernandes ,
T. Silva  and
S. J. Hawkins
M. I. Seabra*
Affiliation:
MARE, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório de Ciências do Mar, Universidade de Évora, Apartado 190, 7521-903 Sines, Portugal
T. Cruz
Affiliation:
MARE, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório de Ciências do Mar, Universidade de Évora, Apartado 190, 7521-903 Sines, Portugal Departamento de Biologia, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
J. N. Fernandes
Affiliation:
MARE, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório de Ciências do Mar, Universidade de Évora, Apartado 190, 7521-903 Sines, Portugal
T. Silva
Affiliation:
MARE, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório de Ciências do Mar, Universidade de Évora, Apartado 190, 7521-903 Sines, Portugal
S. J. Hawkins
Affiliation:
Marine Biological Association of the UK, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
*
Author for correspondence: M. I. Seabra, E-mail: iseabra@uevora.pt
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Abstract

Recruitment of the limpet Patella ulyssiponensis was investigated in relation to the presence of living crustose coralline algae (CCA) in rocky-shore habitats. Juvenile limpets (≤10 mm maximum shell length) were counted in CCA-present and CCA-absent habitats, on three shores in SW Portugal during summer 2007 and winter 2009. Furthermore, the settling response of laboratory-reared larvae of P. ulyssiponensis to CCA-covered substratum, and bare-rock, was examined. Across the intertidal zone, we found a clear association between the distribution and abundance of juveniles and the presence of CCA. Although the presence of CCA was not an absolute requisite for juvenile occurrence, null juvenile densities were mostly recorded in CCA-absent areas. The highest juvenile densities (maximum of 64 individuals in 15 × 15 cm) were consistently found in CCA-dominated habitats, namely steep wave-exposed areas at low-shore and rock-pools. The hypothesis of CCA-enhanced settlement was not supported, as settlement intensities of laboratory-reared larvae were similar between chips of rock encrusted by CCA and chips of bare-rock. From the overall number of settlers onto CCA-encrusted rock chips, 51% were found in tiny pits lacking CCA. This was the first study of the settlement patterns of larvae of the genus Patella using naturally occurring rocky substrata. These results are preliminary and should be confirmed with choice-experiments and improved monitoring of the position of settlers. We suggest that CCA plays a role in the recruitment of P. ulyssiponensis, potentially promoting survivorship of early benthic stages, but possibly not enhancing settlement.

Keywords

Coralline crustslimpet recruitmentpatellid larvaePatellogastropodarocky-shore habitatssettlement cuesSW Portugal

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 99 , Issue 8 , December 2019 , pp. 1787 - 1796
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2019 

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The online version of this article has been updated since original publication. A notice detailing the changes has also been published.

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