Barnacles as biological flow indicators

• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15018
• Publication Date: 2023-04-18T08:12:45Z
• Authors: Joseph W.N.L. Reu...; Benjamin A. Belgrad; Amberle McKee; Delbert L. Smee
• Keywords: Appendage

Hydrodynamic stress shapes the flora and fauna that exist in wave-swept environments, alters species interactions, can become primary community structuring agent. Yet, hydrodynamics be difficult to quantify because instrumentation is expensive, some methods are unreliable, accurately measuring spatial temporal differences difficult. Here, we explored utility of barnacles as potential biological flow-indicators. Barnacles, nearly ubiquitous within estuarine have demonstrated notable phenotypic plasticity dimensions their feeding appendages (cirri) genitalia response flow. In high flow, shorter, stockier cirri with shorter setae; low longer, thinner longer setae. By relative cirral dimensions, comparative flow among locations quantified. We tested our hypothesis ivory ( Amphibalanus eburneus ) could useful indicators two experiments. First, performed reciprocal transplants A. between wave protected exposed areas assess changes morphology over 4 weeks well if dissipated when were relocated a different habitat. Then, second study, transplanted into (<5 cm/s) (>25 environments largely free waves shielded half lessen speed. both experiments, had significant morphologies across sites. Transplanting revealed occur reversed. Further, ameliorating sites did not affect barnacle but pronounced effects suggesting velocity was driver experiment. These results highlight cheap, accessible, biologically relevant for comparisons