Settlement as a major determinant of intertidal oyster and barnacle distributions along a horizontal gradient

Date

1988

Authors

Bushek D

Journal Title

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Abstract

In Galveston Bay, Texas, pier pilings within 10 m of the shore are dominated by the American oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) while the ivory barnacle Balanus eburneus (Gould) predominates on pilings beyond 10 m. This pattern of horizontal zonation reflects different settlement: barnacles and oysters settle in areas of high and low water motion, respectively. High water motion promotes barnacle growth, but has no effect on oyster growth. The higher settlement of barnacles onto substrata in higher water motion appears to be a combination of arrival rates to these sites and a preference for these areas. Adult-larval interactions further enhance the degree of differential settlement

Description

1-18

Keywords

ASW,Galveston Bay, Balanus eburneus, biocenosis, colonization, Crassostrea, Crassostrea virginica, D 04655 Invertebrates - general, Distribution, ecological zonation, Galveston Bay, growth, Habitat selection, horizontal distribution, intertidal environment, O 1070 BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY/ ECOLOGY, Oysters, Q1 01422 Environmental effects, settling behavior, Substrata, Texas, USA, USA,Texas,Galveston Bay, water

Citation