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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
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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

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