An epibiont mediated increase in the susceptibility of Mytilus edulis to predation by Nucella lapillus

• Published in: SURG Journal
• Main Author: Johansson, Jess
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Guelph 2010
• Subjects: Dogwhelk; Nucella lapillus
• Online Access: https://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/surg/article/view/1114

In marine organisms, the relationship that arises between two individuals where one organism biofouls the surface of a typically larger host organism is defined as epibiosis. Colonization of an organism by an epibiont can severely limit the feeding and reproductive abilities of the host and reduce overall fitness. Therefore, it is important to consider the benefits, if any, that the basibiont gains from this epibiotic relationship. In previous experiments, it was observed that barnacle epibionts protected Mytilus edulis from predation by Carcinus maenas, an intertidal predator. This study uses a choice experiment to deduce whether Semibalanus balanoides can mediate predation by another intertidal predator, the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus. N. lapillus preferred the substrate of barnacle-covered mussels to smooth-surface mussels, however specific preference to predate on these mussels was inconclusive from the results. The presence of S. balanoides on the shell surface of M. edulis decreased defensive behaviors, suggesting that the basibiont may be more vulnerable to predation because of this epibiotic relationship. If so, the relationship may border on parasitism if M. edulis fitness is significantly reduced.