Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2018, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (6): 85-91.doi: 10.11978/2018019CSTR: 32234.14.2018019

• Marine Biology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of salinity on larval development of two common barnacles from the southeast coast of China

Wenhao CAO1(), Jin YAN2, Meiping FENG3(), Shuaishuai HAN1,4, Mingqing LIN1,4   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
    2. College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
    3. Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Fishery Resources for Key Fishing Grounds, Ministry of Agriculture, Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Zhoushan 316021, China
    4. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Received:2018-02-12 Online:2018-11-20 Published:2018-12-24
  • Supported by:
    Science Technology Department of Zhejiang Province Program (2017F50017);Promotion Program for Guangdong Provincial Ocean and Fishery Technology (A201701C06)

Abstract:

The acorn barnacles Amphibalanus reticulatus and Tetraclita squamosa squamosa are common fouling species off the southeast coast of China, which play an important role in marine ecosystems. Understanding the effects of salinity on larval development of the two common barnacles will increase our knowledge on marine biology and may also provide data useful in the field of marine fouling control. In this study, the nauplius larvae of the barnacles A. reticulatus and T. squamosa squamosa were reared in seawater with salinities of 6‰, 12‰, 18‰, 24‰, 30‰ (Control), and 36‰, respectively. After being cultured for five days, the surviving individuals were counted, and their developmental stages were analyzed. The mean values of larval survival rate and the percentage of larvae at various developmental stages in the control and treatment groups were compared with the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test. The results showed significant negative impacts on larval development and survival of both species when the salinity was equal or less than or equal to 18‰. In the salinities of 6‰, 12‰ and 18‰, larval development was inhibited significantly, even to the point where all larvae died. If the salinity rose to 24‰ or higher, there was no significant difference in the larval survival rates of both barnacle species between the control and treatment groups. The salinity at 30‰ was the optimum for larval development of A. reticulatus. Moreover, the larvae of T. squamosa squamosa had greater tolerance to salinity stress with no significant differences occurred during its larval development among the groups in the salinities of 24‰, 30‰ and 36‰.

Key words: Amphibalanus reticulatus, Tetraclita squamosa squamosa, salinity, larvae, development

CLC Number: 

  • Q958.8