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Population dynamics of the acorn barnacles, Tetraclita squamosa and Tetraclita japonica (Cirripedia: Balanomorpha), in Hong Kong

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Abstract

Tetraclita squamosa and Tetraclita japonica are common, intertidal barnacles. In Hong Kong, the population dynamics of the two species exhibited spatial and temporal variation on two semi-exposed shores. T. squamosa produced egg masses from May–June and annual settlement and recruitment occurred from June–July. In contrast, settlement and recruitment of T. japonica was sparse from March–May, but intensified in July–October. Mature gonads and egg masses were, however, only present from September–November, suggesting the larvae from the two settlement pulses originated from other locations as well as Hong Kong populations. Settlement intensity and post-recruitment mortality of the two species varied between sites, possibly due to spatial variation in free rock space, physical transport of larvae and abundance of food in the water column.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong SAR Government for providing hydrological data, and colleagues in the Hard Rock Ecology Group for their constructive comments on the manuscript. This material was submitted in partial fulfillment for a PhD degree by B.K.K.C. at The University of Hong Kong, and was funded by a HKU postgraduate studentship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Swire Institute of Marine Science, Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China

    Benny K. K. Chan & Gray A. Williams

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  1. Benny K. K. Chan
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  2. Gray A. Williams
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Correspondence to Benny K. K. Chan.

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Communicated by T. Ikeda, Hakodate

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Chan, B.K.K., Williams, G.A. Population dynamics of the acorn barnacles, Tetraclita squamosa and Tetraclita japonica (Cirripedia: Balanomorpha), in Hong Kong. Marine Biology 146, 149–160 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-004-1426-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-004-1426-3

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