Larval development, sensory mechanisms and physiological adaptations in acorn barnacles with special reference to Balanus amphitrite

Abstract

Barnacles have drawn the attention of many naturalists and often dominate fouling communities. Balanus amphitrite, is a shallow water acorn barnacle capable of inhabiting expanses from supralittoral to subtidal levels, and as an epibiont. Its potential to survive and successfully establish local population is endorsed by various physiological adaptations and larval sensory perceptions. The larval life cycle of this species has both planktrotrophic naupliar and non-feeding cyprid stages. The naupliar energetics has a bearing on the capabilities of cypris larvae to explore surfaces for settlement and also the recruitment success of juveniles. The most complete nervous system in the barnacles is established in the cypris larva. Although there has been considerable research with reference to their settlement and metamorphosis, not much is known about the olfactory, photo and auditory sensory mechanisms with respect to settlement and metamorphosis, which need further attention. Understanding the response of most sensitive life stages of barnacles to environmental changes in intertidal habitats can also serve as important models for understanding the effect of climate change on species distribution.