J. D. Costlow

Inhibition of attachment of larval barnacles, Balanus amphitrite, by bacterial surface films

Films of bacteria on solid substrata can positively or negatively influence the attachment of marine invertebrate larvae. Effects of marine bacteria on the attachment of cypris larvae of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite Darwin were examined in the laboratory. Bacteria, grown to mid-exponential phase and allowed to adsorb irreversibly to polystyrene petri dishes, attached in densities of 107 cells cm-2. Assays (22h) were used to compare the effects of adsorbed cells of 18 different bacterial species on larval barnacle attachment. Most of the adsorbed bacteria either inhibited or had no effect on larval attachment compared to clean surfaces. Experiments testing the effect of larval age on barnacle attachment were conducted with six species of bacteria and showed that older larvae attached in higher percentages to clean surfaces and that bacterial films generally inhibited larval attaschment. Both the species of bacteria and the in situ age of the adsorbed bacteria affected barnacle attachment response: older films of Deleya (Pseudomonas) marina were more inhibitory. Bacterial extracellular materials may be involved in the inhibitory process.

The ontogeny of phototaxis by larvae of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii

Phototaxis by each zoeal stage of the crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould) was quantitatively measured by means of a microscope closed-circuit television system. The megalopa stage is indifferent to light stimulation and was thus not tested. The action spectrum for positive phototaxis is similar at each zoeal stage, having the most pronounced maximum at about 500 nm and smaller maxima at 400 and 280 nm. Responsiveness to various intensities of 500 nm light is also similar at each stage. After dark-adaptation strongest positive phototaxis occurs at intensities between 1.0 and 3.0x10-4 W/m2, with no negative phototaxis to lower intensities. After light-adaptation, the positive response occurs to higher intensities between 20 and 0.01 W/m2, with a pronounced negative response to lower intensities. Generally, mean swimming speeds during positive phototaxis do not change with stimulation intensity, although during negative phototaxis mean speeds do vary with intensity. At the highest intensities which initiate a negative response, mean values are significantly greater than values for positive phototaxis. Based on the pattern of phototaxis at each developmental stage, a prediction of events during diurnal vertical migration is possible. The negative response after light-adaptation might also function as a shadow reflex.

Effects of the insect growth regulator Dimilin® (TH 6040) on larval development of two estuarine crabs

Effects of Dimilin® (TH 6040), an insect growth regulator which interferes with the formation of the insect cuticle, were studied on the larval development of Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould) and Sesarma reticulatum (Say) (Crustacea: Brachyura). When larvae were exposed to 0.5 (R. harrisii only), 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 ppb Dimilin from hatching to the first crab stage, survival in both species decreased in relation to increased concentrations of Dimilin. Survival of R. harrisii larvae wa significantly lower at 1 ppb and higher levels compared with control experiments, and in S. reticulatum a significant decrease in survival began at the 3 ppb level. At 10 ppb Dimilin, no larvae survived to the megalopa stage in either of the two species. The results indicate that early stage larvae of R. harrisii are more sensitive to Dimilin than those of S. reticulatum. When R. harrisii larvae were treated with 10 ppb Dimilin during the intermolt period of each of the 4 zoeal stages, nearly all larvae died during molting to the succeeding stage. First zoeal larvae of R. harrisii exposed to 10 ppb Dimilin at various days during the intermolt period were more sensitive to the compound late than early in the period. It is suggested that Dimilin also may interfere with the formation of the cuticle in crab larvae.

Size regulation in larvae of the crustacean Balanus eburneus (Cirripedia: Thoracica)

We tested the hypothesis that larval size in the acorn barnacle Balanus eburneus Gould (Cirripedia Thoracica) varies in relation to food availability. In March–November 1980, and March–July 1981, larvae were obtained from adult Balanus eburneus collected in the Newport River, North Carolina, USA. Carapace length and width of larvae reared at three different food concentrations were measured. Mean naupliar instar size was independent of food concentration. Mean size of the cypris instar increased with increasing food level. Greater cypris size could be attributed to increased food reserves in the preceding naupliar stage, and was coinciden with inmarked increase in metamorphic success. Variation in instar size remained constant or declined during naupliar development, but increased sharply at the molt to the cyprid. Naupliar size regulation involved: (1) conservation of a molt increment specific for each naupliar-naupliar molt, (2) an inverse relationship between premolt size and the molt increment during the first five naupliar instars, and (3) an increase in the precision of the molt increment at the molt to the sixth naupliar instar. Experimental evidence implies that size regulation in Balanus eburneus limits variation about a fixed final naupliar size (e.g. volume). Measurement of naupliar size, accumulated energy reserves, survival and development time, and cypris metamorphic success indicated that naupliar cuticular growth is the most conservative feature of larval development. The data suggest that maximum naupliar size is limited by escalating metabolic costs during development, while minimum naupliar size is limited by size-related feeding effectiveness.

Effects of various temperature cycles on the larval development of the gastropod molluscCrepidula fornicata

Veligers ofCrepidula fornicata (L.) were reared for 12 days at constant temperatures of 15°, 20°, 25°, 30° and 35°C, and at 5 C° daily cycles of equal periodicity (COEP) over the temperature ranges 15° to 20°C, 20° to 25°C, 25° to 30°C and 30° to 35°C. COEP consisted of equal periods (6 h) of maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and uniformly increasing and decreasing temperature each 24 h period. Survival was high and not influenced by cyclic or constant temperature from 15° to 30°C. At 35°C and COEP 30° to 35°C, all larvae died before Day 6. Shell growth rate increased markedly over the range 15° to 25°C, and growth rates at cyclic temperatures in this range were intermediate between growth rates at the corresponding constant temperatures. Larvae reared at COEP 15° to 20°C and COEP 30° to 35°C had discontinuities in their shells due to inhibition of shell secretion during the adverse part of each temperature cycle. Groups ofc. fornicata veligers were exposed for 2 days to daily temperature cycles of equal and unequal periodicity in the critical 30° to 35°C range. [Cycles of unequal periodicity (COUP) consisted of unequal periods (varying between 3 and 15 h) of maximum and minimum temperature and uniformly increasing and decreasing temperature each 24 h period.] These veligers showed shell growth although their body tissue declined, as indicated by decreasing carbon content per larva. Least shell growth and most body tissue loss occurred in those cycles with the longest exposure to higher temperature. Larvae exposed for arious days to the mildest 30° to 35°C COUP (15 h at 30°C, 3 h increasing temperature, 3 h at 35°C and 3 h decreasing temperature) recovered and resumed normal growth when transferred to constant 30°C, but their growth was retarded in proportion to the number of days in the temperature cycle. Rates of shell growth of veligers in temperature cycles show an immediate effect of environmental temperature, while changes in carbon content per larva better reflect the effects of temperature on general metabolism and survival.

Acute toxicity of diflubenzuron (DFB) to various life stages of the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio

The acute toxic effects of diflubenzuron (DFB) on various life stages of the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, were determined using a static renewal system. It was observed that the larvae and the postlarvae were the most sensitive to acute DFB toxicity; 96-hr LC50s being 1.44 and 1.62 μg L−1 respectively. Also variations among the 96-hr LC50s for these two life stages were the lowest (11.59% for larvae and 30.06% for postlarvae) compared to 68.9% for males and non-Ovgerous females. Ovigerous female grass shrimp (hence the embryos) appeared to be the most resistant to acute toxic effects of DFB with a mean LC50 of 6985 μg L−1. The limitations of LC50 data and the importance of molt-related sensitivity of the different life stages of P. pugio to diflubenzuron are discussed.

Effects of soluble fractions of drilling fluids on development of crabs, Rhithropanopeus harrisii and Callinectes sapidus

The mud aqueous fraction (MAF) and suspended particulate phase (SPP) of low-density lignosulfonate type mud with úerrochrome added were nontoxic to larvae during the complete larval development of Rhithropanopeus harrisii. Five percent (5000 ppm, 0.5 % v/v mud in water) MAF and SPP were not toxic to Callinectes sapidus. Survival of C. sapidus larvae decreased as concentrations of MAF and SPP increased from 5 % (5000 ppm, 0.5 v/v mud in water) to 50% (50000 ppm, 5 % v/v mud in water). No larvae reached the 1st crab stage in 100% (100000 ppm, 10% v/v mud in water) MAF and SPP. Statistical analysis of the data on survival, mortality, and behavior are presented.Blue crab larval behavior is affected by exposure to MAF and SPP with the general effect being a decline in swimming speed. A significant reduction was only observed in 100% MAF but was noticed in 5, 25, 50, and 100% SPP.

Effects of hexavalent chromium on development of crabs, Rhithropanopeus harrisii and Callinectes sapidus

AbstractSurvival of Rhithropanopeus harrisii larvae from hatching to first crab stage occurred in Na2CrO4 concentrations from 1.1 to 29.1 ppm. Estimated LC50 for complete zoeal development was 17.8 ppm Na2CrO4 and it was 13.7 ppm for development to first crab stage. A concentration of 1.1 ppm Na2CrO4 was nontoxic, while Na2CrO4 concentrations of 7.2 and 14.5 ppm were sublethal and concentrations of 29.1 to 58.1 ppm were acutely toxic. Low concentrations of Na2Cr04 caused an increase in swimming speed and high concentrations caused a decline.Survival of Callinectes sapidus larvae occurred in Na2CrO4 concentrations from 1.1 to 4.7 ppm. The LC50 for complete zoeal development was estimated to be 2.9 ppm Na2CrO4 and the LC50 for development to first crab stage was estimated to be 1.0 ppm Na2CrO4 The total Cr in sodium chromate is 32% by weight (Tacey,1981), hence, the total Cr concentrations tested were 32% of the Cr salts given above.Statistical analyses of the data on survival, duration and mortality of larvae are presented.