Barnacle recurit density, biomass, and reproductive output measured in rocky intertidal habitats in Glasgow Head, on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada ...

• Main Authors: Ellrich, Julius A, Scrosati, Ricardo A, Bertolini, Camilla, Molis, Markus
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA 2016
• Subjects: Sampling by hand; Dogwhelk; Nucella lapillus
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.857351; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.857351

Through a field experiment, we show that a predator has negative nonconsumptive effects (NCEs) on different life-history stages of the same prey species. Shortly before the recruitment season of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides (May–June), we established experimental cages in rocky intertidal habitats in Nova Scotia, Canada. The cages were used to manipulate the presence and absence of dogwhelks, Nucella lapillus, the main predators of barnacles. At the centre of each cage, we installed a tile where barnacle pelagic larvae could settle and the resulting recruits grow. Mesh prevented caged dogwhelks from accessing the tiles, but allowed waterborne dogwhelk cues to reach the tiles. Results in May indicated that barnacle larvae settled preferentially on tiles from cages without dogwhelks. In November, at the end of the dogwhelk activity period and once the barnacle recruits had grown to adult size, barnacle body mass was lower in the presence of dogwhelks. This limitation may have resulted from a lower ... : Supplement to: Ellrich, Julius A; Scrosati, Ricardo A; Bertolini, Camilla; Molis, Markus (2016): A predator has nonconsumptive effects on different life-history stages of a prey. Marine Biology, 163(1) ...