Associated fauna and effects of epibiotic barnacles on the relative growth and reproductive indices of Stramonita haemastoma (Gastropoda: Muricidae)

Authors

  • Tahani El Ayari University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerta, Laboratory of Environment Bio-monitoring
  • Youssef Lahbib University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerta, Laboratory of Environment Bio-monitoring
  • Najoua Trigui El Menif University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerta, Laboratory of Environment Bio-monitoring

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.04151.18A

Keywords:

Stramonita haemastoma, biofouling, reproductive indices, relative growth, Bizerta Channel

Abstract


To better understand the impacts of biofouling on the biological processes of the basibiont, the effects of epibiotic barnacles on the relative growth and reproductive indices of Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767) were assessed. A total of 1035 specimens were collected monthly for one year from Bizerta Channel (northern Tunisia). Endobiotic species comprised the lithophagous bivalves Lithophaga aristata and Rocellaria dubia of different sizes, communicating with the outside through tiny perforations. Intra-shell tunnels and galleries also sheltered annelids and sipunculids. Epibiotic species comprised algae and highly diversified invertebrates represented by crustaceans, polychaetes, molluscs, echinoderms, ascidians, sponges, bryozoans and sipunculids, with barnacles being the most common group. Comparison of growth features between non-fouled and fouled S. haemastoma revealed higher growth in non-fouled specimens. Differences in reproductive condition indices were detected in few months, being mostly higher in non-fouled snails, but showed no asynchrony in the spawning period for either fouled or non-fouled gastropods hosts.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abidli S., Lahbib Y., Trigui El Menif N. 2012. Relative growth and reproductive cycle in two populations of Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae) from northern Tunisia (Bizerta Lagoon and small Gulf of Tunis). Biologia 67: 751-761. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/s11756-012-0060-7

Abidli S., Lahbib Y., Rodríguez González P., et al. 2013. Imposex and butyltin burden in Bolinus brandaris (Mollusca, Gastropoda) and sediment from the Tunisian Coast. Hydrobiologia 714: 13-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1505-x

Ávila S.P., Madeira P., Zazo C., et al. 2009. Palaeoecology of the Pleistocene (MIS 5.5) outcrops of Santa Maria Island (Azores) in a complex oceanic tectonic setting. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol. 274: 18-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2008.12.014

Beliste B.W., Stickle W.B. 1978. Seasonal patterns in the biochemical constituents and body component indexes of the Muricid Gastropod, Thais haemastoma. Biol. Bull. 155: 259-272. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1540951

Bick A. 2006. Polychaete communities associated with gastropod shells inhabited by the hermit crabs Clibanarius erythropus and Calcinus tubularis from Ibiza, Mediterranean Sea. J. Mar. Biol. Ass U.K. 86: 83-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315406012884

Buschbaum C., Reise K. 1999. Effects of barnacle epibionts on the periwinkle Littorina littorea (L.). Helgol. Mar. Res. 53: 56-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/PL00012138

Buschbaum C., Buschbaum G., Schrey I., et al. 2007. Shell-boring polychaetes affect gastropod shell strength and crab predation. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 329: 123-130. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps329123

Castro L.F.C., Lima D., Machado A., et al. 2007. Imposex induction is mediated through the Retinoid X Receptor signalling pathway in the neogastropod Nucella lapillus. Aquat. Toxicol. 85: 57-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2007.07.016 PMid:17875330

Crothers J. H. 1985. Dogwhelks: an introduction to the biology of Nucella lapillus. Field Stud. 6: 291-360.

Duault C., Gillet P., Fleury P.G. 2001. Evolution spatio-temporelle de l'infestation des huitres creuses, Crassostrea gigas, par les vers du genre Polydora (Annelides Polychetes), dans le cadre du reseau Remora d'Ifremer. J. Res. Oceanogr. 26(3):136.

El Ayari T., Abidli S., Lahbib Y., et al. 2015. The effect of size and epibiotic barnacles on imposex in Stramonita haemastoma collected from the northern coast of Tunisia. Mar. Biol. Res. 11: 313-320. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2014.914223

Elhasni K., Ghorbel M., Vasconcelos P., et al. 2010. Reproductive cycle and size at first sexual maturity of Hexaplex trunculus (Gastropoda: Muricidae) in the Gulf of Gabès (southern Tunisia). Invertebr. Reprod. Dev. 54: 213-225. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07924259.2010.9652335

Elhasni K., Vasconcelos P., Ghorbel M., et al. 2013. Reproductive cycle of Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae) in the Gulf of Gabès (southern Tunisia). Medit. Mar. Sci. 14: 24–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/mms.325

Giménez J., Penchaszadeh P.E. 2003. Size at first sexual maturity in Zidona dufresnei (Caenogastropoda:Volutidae) of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean (Mar del Plata, Argentina). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 83: 293-296. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315403007100h

Jaccarini V., Bannister W.H., Micallef H. 1968. The pallial glands and rock boring in Lithophaga lithophaga (Lamellibranchia, Mytilidae). J. Zool. 154: 397-401 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1968.tb01672.x

Keough M.J. 1984. Dynamics of the epifauna of the bivalve Pinna bicolor: Interactions among recruitment, predation, and competition. Ecol. Soc. Am. 65: 677-688. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1938040

Lacoste E., Le Moulla G., Levy P., et al. 2014. Biofouling development and its effect on growth and reproduction of the farmed pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera. Aquaculture 434: 18-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2014.07.012

Lahbib Y. 2004. Impact des conditions du milieu sur la biologie du rocher fascié Hexaplex trunculus prélevé dans la lagune et le canal de Bizerte. Master, Fac. Sc. Bizerte, 72 pp.

Lahbib Y, Abidli S., Trigui El Menif N. 2009. Relative growth and reproduction in Tunisian populations of Hexaplex trunculus with contrasting imposex levels. J. Shellfish. Res. 28: 891–898. http://dx.doi.org/10.2983/035.028.0419

Lahbib Y, Abidli S, Chiffoleau JF, et al. 2010. Imposex and butyltin concentrations in snails from the lagoon of Bizerta (Northern Tunisia). Mar. Biol. Res. 6: 600-607. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17451000903437075

Lahbib Y., Abidli S., Trigui El Menif N. 2011. Spawning and intracapsular development of Stramonita haemastoma haemastoma (Gastropoda: Muricidae) collected in northern Tunisia. Mar. Biol. Res. 7: 1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2011.558099

Lemghich I., Benajiba M.H. 2007. Survey of imposex in prosobranch mollusks along the northern Mediterranean coast of Morocco. Ecol. Indic. 7: 209-214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2005.09.007

Lleonart M., Handlinger J., Powell M. 2003. Spionid mudworm infestation of farmed abalone (Haliotis spp.). Aquaculture 221: 85-96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0044-8486(03)00116-9

Lucas A., Beninger P.G. 1985. The use of physiological condition indices in marine bivalve aquaculture. Aquaculture 44: 187–200. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0044-8486(85)90243-1

Mayrat A. 1959. Nouvelle méthode pour l'étude comparée d'une croissance relative dans deux échantillons. Application à la carapace de Penaeus kerathurus. Inst. Franc. Afr. Noire. 21: 21-59.

Nair N.V. 1965. Marine fouling in Indian waters. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 24: 483-488.

Papp M.G., Duarte L.F.L. 2001. Locomotion of Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus) (Gastropoda, Muricidae) on a mixed shore of rocks and sand. Rev. Bras. Zool. 18: 187-195. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-81752001000100022

Poore G.C.B. 1973. Ecology of New Zealand abalones, Haliotis species (Mollusca: Gastropoda). N. Z. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 7: 67-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288330.1973.9515456

Rabaoui L., Tlig-Zouari S., Cosentino A., et al. 2009. Associated fauna of the fan shell Pinna nobilis (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in the northern and eastern Tunisian coasts. Sci. Mar. 73: 129-141. http://dx.doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2009.73n1129

Ramón M., Amor M.J. 2002. Reproductive cycle of Bolinus brandaris and penis and 494 genital duct size variations in a population affected by imposex. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK. 82: 435-442. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315402005696

Rilov G. 1999. The whelk Stramonita haemastoma in the Eastern Mediterranean rocky littoral: Biotic and abiotic perspectives. PhD thesis, Tel-Aviv. Univ. Tel-Aviv, 234 pp.

Sahu G., Satpathy K.K., Mohanty A.K., et al. 2013. Larval abundance and its relation to macrofouling settlement pattern in the coastal waters of Kalpakkam, southeastern part of India. Environ. Monit. Assess. 185: 1951-1967. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2679-9 PMid:22653421

Schejter L., Bremec C.S. 2006. Epibionts on Flexopecten felipponei (Dall, 1922), an uncommon scallop from Argentina. Am. Malacol. Bull. 22: 75-82. http://dx.doi.org/10.4003/0740-2783-22.1.75

Simone L.R.L., Gonçalves E.P. 2006. Anatomical study on Myoforceps aristatus, an invasive boring bivalve in S.E. Brazilian coast (Mytilidae). Pap. Avulsos. Zool (São Paulo) 46: 57-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0031-10492006000600001

Spence S.K., Hawkins S.J., Santos R.S. 1990. The mollusc Thais haemastoma – an exhibitor of 'imposex' and potential biological indicator of tributyltin pollution. Mar. Ecol. 11: 147-156. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0485.1990.tb00235.x

Tebble N. 1976. British Bivalve Seashells. Trustees of the British Museum Natural History. (Second Edition). Her Majesty Stationery Office, Edinburgh, 212 pp.

Terlizzi A., Fraschetti S., Gianguzza P., et al. 2001. Environmental impact of antifouling technologies: state of the art and perspectives. Aquat. Conserv. Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 11: 311-317. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aqc.459

Thieltges D.W., Buschbaum C. 2007. Vicious circle in the intertidal: Facilitation between barnacle epibionts, a shell boring polychaete and trematode parasites in the periwinkle Littorina littorea. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 340: 90-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2006.08.014

Trigui El Menif N., Guezzi Y., Le Pennec M., et al. 2005. Infestation of the clam Venus verrucosa by Sipunculoidea and the lithophagus bivalve, Gastrochaena dubia. Acta. Adriat. 46: 83-90.

Trigui El Menif N., Lahbib Y., Le Pennec M., et al. 2006. Intensity of the imposex phenomenon - impact on growth and fecundity in Hexaplex trunculus (Mollusca: Gastropoda) collected in Bizerta lagoon and Channel (Tunisia). Cah. Biol. Mar. 47: 165-175.

Trigui El Menif N., Jaafar Kefi F., Ramdani M., et al. 2007. Habitat and associated fauna of Lithophaga lithophaga (Linneus 1758) in the bay of Bizerta (Tunisia). J. Shellfish Res. 26: 569-574. http://dx.doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000(2007)26[569:HAAFOL]2.0.CO;2

Turner R.D., Boss K.J. 1962. The genus Lithophaga in the western Atlantic. Johnsonia 4: 81-116.

Vasconcelos P., Cúrdia J., Castro M., et al. 2007. The shell of Hexaplex (Trunculariopsis) trunculus (Gastropoda: Muricidae) as a mobile hard substratum for epibiotic polychaetes (Annelida: Polychaeta) in the Ria Formosa (Algarve coast-southern Portugal). Hydrobiologia 575: 161-172. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0367-x

Vasconcelos P., Lopes B., Castro M., et al. 2008. Gametogenic cycle of Hexaplex (Trunculariopsis) trunculus (Gastropoda: Muricidae) in the Ria Formosa lagoon (Algarve coast - southern Portugal). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 88: 321-329. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315408000593

Vasconcelos P., Moura P., Castro M., et al. 2011. Size matters: importance of penis length variation on reproduction studies and imposex monitoring in Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae). Hydrobiologia 661: 364-375. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-010-0544-9

Vasconcelos P., Moura P., Barroso C.M., et al. 2012. Reproductive cycle of Bolinus brandaris (Gastropoda: Muricidae) in the Ria Formosa lagoon (southern Portugal). Aquat. Biol. 16: 69-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/ab00434

Wahl M. 1989. Marine epibiosis. I. Fouling and antifouling: some basic aspects. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 58: 175-189. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps058175

Ward M.A., Thorpe J.P. 1991. Distribution of encrusting bryozoans and other epifauna on the subtidal bivalve Chlamys opercularis. Mar. Biol. 110: 253-259. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01313711

Published

2015-06-30

How to Cite

1.
El Ayari T, Lahbib Y, Trigui El Menif N. Associated fauna and effects of epibiotic barnacles on the relative growth and reproductive indices of Stramonita haemastoma (Gastropoda: Muricidae). Sci. mar. [Internet]. 2015Jun.30 [cited 2024Mar.28];79(2):222-3. Available from: https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/1581

Issue

Section

Articles