Abstract
Analysis of biochemical components and measurements of oxygen consumption rates of cypris larvae of Balanus balanoides (L.) maintained in the laboratory at 10°C for up to 5 weeks after capture shows that lipid is the primary energy reserve, although later protein is utilised. Initially, the cyprids swim freely with an oxygen consumption rate of ca. 37×10-3 μl O2 h-1 cyprid-1, but within a few days the rate falls to ca. 21×10-3 μl O2 h-1 cyprid-1 when they cease swimming and explore the substratum. The cost of metamorphosis was calculated both from the loss of biochemical components and oxygen consumption rates during metamorphosis; the values were 2.8×10-2 and 3.2×10-2 cal cyprid-1, respectively. A budget was collated from the data on respiration and biochemical composition, whereby the energy per cyprid was partitioned into that required for essential structural components (6.8×10-2 cal), that needed for metamorphosis (3.0×10-2 cal) and an excess available for swimming and exploring, which in the batches studied was about 5.0×10-2 cal. This excess is mainly derived from the utilisation of lipid reserves and is used up usually 2 1/2 to 4 weeks after capture. During these measurements, samples of cyprids were taken at weekly intervals to test the rate of settlement and success of metamorphosis. The results showed that they lose their competence to metamorphose successfully approximately at the same time (3 to 4 weeks) that the energy supply for swimming and exploration is used up.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Conover, R.J. and E.D.S. Corner: Respiration and nitrogen excretion by some marine zooplankton in relation to their life cycle. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 48, 49–75 (1968)
Crisp, D.J.: Territorial behaviour in barnacle settlement. J. exp. Biol. 38, 429–446 (1961)
—: Energy flow measurements. In: Methods for the study of marine benthos, pp 197–297. Ed. by N.A. Holme and A.D. McIntyre. Edinburgh: Oxford & Blackwell 1971. (IBP Handbk No. 16)
—: The role of the pelagic larva. In: Perspectives in Experimental Biology. Vol. 1. Zoology, pp 145–155, Ed. P. Spencer-Davies. Oxford and New York: Pergamon Press 1976
—: Genetic consequences of different reproductive strategies in marine invertebrates. In: Marine organisms, pp 257–273. Ed. by B. Battaglia and J. Beardmore. New York; London: Plenum Publishing Corp. 1978
— and P.S. Meadows: Adsorbed layers: the stimulus to settle in barnacles. Proc. R. Soc. (Ser. B) 158, 364–387 (1963)
—: Different types of cirral activity in barnacles. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. (Ser. B) 243, 271–308 (1961)
Davenport, J.: A technique for the measurement of oxygen consumption in small aquatic organisms. Lab. Pract. 25, 693–695 (1976)
Hagerman, L.: The respiration during the moult cycle of Crangon vulgaris (Fabr.) (Crustacea, Natantia). Ophelia 15, 15–21 (1976)
Holland, D.L.: Lipid reserves and energy metabolism in the larvae of benthic marine invertebrates. In: Biochemical and biophysical perspectives in marine biology, Vol. 4. pp 85–123. Ed. D.C. Malins and J.R. Sargent. London: Academic Press 1978
—: A micro-analytical scheme for the determination of protein, carbohydrate, lipid and RNA levels in marine invertebrate larvae. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 51, 659–668 (1971)
Holland, D.L. and P.J. Hannant: Addendum to a microanalytical scheme for the biochemical analysis of marine invertebrate larvae. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 53, 833–838 (1973)
—: Biochemical changes in fed and starved oysters, Ostrea edulis (L.), during larval development, metamorphosis and early spat growth. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 53, 287–298 (1973)
—: The biochemical composition of the cypris larva of the barnacle Balanus balanoides (L.). J. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 36, 162–165 (1975)
Knight-Jones, E.W. and D.J. Crisp: Gregariousness in barnacles in relation to the fouling of ships and to anti-fouling research. Nature, Lond. 171, p. 1109 (1953)
Loeb, M.J. and G. Walker: Origin, composition and function of secretions from pyriform organs and internal sacs of four settling cheilo-ctenostome bryozoan larvae. Mar. Biol. 42, 37–46 (1977)
Lowry, O.M., M.J. Rosenbrough, A.L. Farr and R.J. Randall: Protein measurement with the folin phenol reagent. J. biol. Chem. 193, 365–375 (1951)
Millar, R.H. and J.M. Scott: The larva of the oyster Ostrea edulis during starvation. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 47, 475–484 (1967)
Rainbow, P.S. and G. Walker: The functional morphology and development of the alimentary tract of juvenile barnacles (Cirripedia: Thoracica). Mar. Biol. 42, 337–349 (1977)
Raymont, J.E.G., R.T. Srinivasagam and J.K.B. Raymont: Biochemical studies on marine zooplankton. VII. Observations on certain deep sea zooplankton. Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. 54, 357–365 (1969)
Waldock, M.J. and D.L. Holland: Fatty acid composition of triacylglycerols of the cypris larva of the barnacle Balanus balanoides during metamorphosis. Mar. Biol. 46, 163–166 (1978)
Walley, L.J.: Studies on the larval structure and metamorphosis of Balanus balanoides (L.). Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. (Ser. B) 256, 237–280 (1969)
Woollacott, R.M. and R.L. Zimmer: Attachment and metamorphosis of the cheilo-ctenostome bryozoan Bugula neritina (Linné). J. Morph. 134, 351–382 (1971)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by J. Mauchline, Oban
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lucas, M.I., Walker, G., Holland, D.L. et al. An energy budget for the free-swimming and metamorphosing larvae of Balanus balanoides (Crustacea: Cirripedia). Mar. Biol. 55, 221–229 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396822
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396822