Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help
Researched by | Nicola White | Refereed by | Prof. Alan J. Southward |
Authority | Bruguière, 1789 | ||
Other common names | Crenate barnacle | Synonyms | - |
Balanus crenatus is one of the most common sublittoral barnacles in Britain. It has six shell plates and grows up to 25 mm in diameter. The upper edge of the shell plates are usually toothed and the shell is inclined to one end when viewed in profile. It usually lives for around 18 months.
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Phylum | Arthropoda | Arthropods, joint-legged animals, e.g. insects, crustaceans & spiders |
Family | Balanidae | |
Genus | Balanus | |
Authority | Bruguière, 1789 | |
Recent Synonyms |
Typical abundance | Moderate density | ||
Male size range | |||
Male size at maturity | |||
Female size range | Small(1-2cm) | ||
Female size at maturity | |||
Growth form | |||
Growth rate | 4.4mm/month | ||
Body flexibility | None (less than 10 degrees) | ||
Mobility | |||
Characteristic feeding method | Active suspension feeder, Passive suspension feeder | ||
Diet/food source | |||
Typically feeds on | Zooplankton and other organic particles of a suitable size, such as detritus and phytoplankton. | ||
Sociability | |||
Environmental position | Epifaunal | ||
Dependency | Independent. | ||
Supports | None | ||
Is the species harmful? | Data deficient |
Balanus crenatus has a calcareous base, while Semibalanus balanoides has a membranous base.
Feeding
Balanus crenatus feeds by extending thoracic appendages called cirri out from the shell to filter zooplankton from the water. In the absence of any current, the barnacle rhythmically beats the cirri. When a current is present Balanus crenatus holds the cirri fully extended in the current flow. Barnacles feed most during spring and autumn when plankton levels are highest. Little if any feeding takes place during winter, when barnacles rely on stored food reserves. Feeding rate is important in determining the rate of growth.
Moulting
Barnacles need to moult in order to grow. Frequency of moulting is determined by feeding rate and temperature. Moulting does not take place during winter when phytoplankton levels and temperatures are low.
Size:
Balanus crenatus is hermaphroditic and grows up to 25mm in diameter.
Physiographic preferences | Open coast, Offshore seabed, Strait / sound, Sea loch / Sea lough, Ria / Voe, Estuary, Enclosed coast / Embayment |
Biological zone preferences | Lower eulittoral, Lower infralittoral, Sublittoral fringe, Upper infralittoral |
Substratum / habitat preferences | Artificial (man-made), Bedrock, Cobbles, Gravel / shingle, Large to very large boulders, Pebbles, Small boulders |
Tidal strength preferences | Moderately Strong 1 to 3 knots (0.5-1.5 m/sec.), Strong 3 to 6 knots (1.5-3 m/sec.), Very Strong > 6 knots (>3 m/sec.), Very Weak (negligible), Weak < 1 knot (<0.5 m/sec.) |
Wave exposure preferences | Exposed, Extremely exposed, Extremely sheltered, Moderately exposed, Sheltered, Very exposed, Very sheltered |
Salinity preferences | Full (30-40 psu), Low (<18 psu), Reduced (18-30 psu), Variable (18-40 psu) |
Depth range | Data deficient |
Other preferences | No text entered |
Migration Pattern | Non-migratory / resident |
Reproductive type | Permanent (synchronous) hermaphrodite | |
Reproductive frequency | Annual episodic | |
Fecundity (number of eggs) | No information | |
Generation time | <1 year | |
Age at maturity | 4 months | |
Season | February - September | |
Life span | 1-2 years |
Larval/propagule type | - |
Larval/juvenile development | Lecithotrophic |
Duration of larval stage | 11-30 days |
Larval dispersal potential | Greater than 10 km |
Larval settlement period | Insufficient information |
The MarLIN sensitivity assessment approach used below has been superseded by the MarESA (Marine Evidence-based Sensitivity Assessment) approach (see menu). The MarLIN approach was used for assessments from 1999-2010. The MarESA approach reflects the recent conservation imperatives and terminology and is used for sensitivity assessments from 2014 onwards.
Intolerance | Recoverability | Sensitivity | Evidence/Confidence | |
High | High | Moderate | Moderate | |
Balanus crenatus is permanently attached to the substratum so would be removed upon substratum loss. The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily colonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994). Therefore recovery is predicted to be high. | ||||
High | High | Moderate | Low | |
Balanus crenatus can withstand covering by silt provided that the cirri can extend above the silt layer but smothering by 5cm of sediment would prevent feeding and could cause death. The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily colonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994). Therefore recovery is predicted to be high. | ||||
Low | High | Low | Low | |
Balanus species are generally tolerant of moderate siltation but are intolerant of excessive siltation (Holt et al., 1995). Silt could clog the filter feeding apparatus imposing an energetic cost on clearing the cirri. The reduced growth rate of barnacles living on carapaces of Nephrops norvegicus compared to barnacles growing on rafts has been partly attributed to the increased levels of silt in the immediate vicinity of Nephrops norvegicus (Barnes & Bagenal, 1951). Therefore, Balanus crenatus is reported to have a low intolerance to siltation as growth only would be affected. The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily colonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994). Therefore recovery is predicted to be high. | ||||
No information | ||||
High | High | Moderate | High | |
Balanus crenatus has more permeable shell plates than other littoral barnacles and therefore loses water quicker and dies sooner when exposed to air. Foster (1971) recorded that Balanus crenatus adults of 6 mm and 11 mm diameter can withstand 17 hours and 40 hours of aerial exposure respectively. Similarly, Barnes et al. (1963) recorded that Balanus crenatus had a mean survival time of 14.4 hours in dry air. An increase in the period of desiccation would therefore lead to a depression in the upper limit of the species distribution. A decrease in the period of desiccation could lead to an extension of Balanus crenatus up the shore. The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily colonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994). Therefore recovery is predicted to be high. | ||||
High | High | Moderate | High | |
Balanus crenatus is vulnerable to desiccation upon aerial exposure. The shell plates are more permeable than other littoral barnacles, therefore it loses water and dies quicker. Foster (1971) recorded that adults of 6 mm and 11 mm diameter can withstand 17 hours and 40 hours of aerial exposure respectively. An increase in the period of emergence would lead to a depression in the upper limit of the species distribution. A decrease in the period of emersion could lead to an extension of Balanus crenatus up the shore. The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily colonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994). Therefore, recovery is predicted to be high. | ||||
No information | ||||
Low | Very high | Very Low | Low | |
Balanus crenatus is found in a very wide range of water flow rates. However, Barnes & Bagenal (1951) found that the growth rate of Balanus crenatus epizoic on Nephrops norvegicus was considerably slower than animals on raft exposed panels. This was attributed to reduced currents and increased silt loading of water in the immediate vicinity of Nephrops norvegicus, so growth rate may be reduced if water flow rate decreases. On return to normal water flow rate the growth rate is predicted to rapidly recover. | ||||
No information | ||||
High | High | Moderate | Moderate | |
Balanus crenatus is a boreal species, and is intolerant of increases in water temperature. In Queens Dock, Swansea where the water was on average 10 °C higher than average due to the effects of a condenser effluent, Balanus crenatus was replaced by the subtropical barnacle Balanus amphitrite. After the water temperature cooled Balanus crenatus returned (Naylor, 1965). It has a peak rate of cirral beating at 20 °C and all spontaneous activity ceases at about 25 °C (Southward, 1955). The species is more tolerant of lower temperatures. Balanus crenatus was unaffected during the severe winter of 1962-63, when average temperatures were 5 to 6 °C below normal (Crisp, 1964). The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily colonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994). Therefore recovery is predicted to be high. | ||||
No information | ||||
Low | Very high | Very Low | Low | |
An increase in turbidity could be beneficial for Balanus crenatus, if the suspended particles are composed of organic matter. However, if the suspended particles are inedible, an energetic cost may be imposed on clearing the cirri. A reduction in light penetration could also reduce growth rate of phytoplankton and so limit zooplankton levels, which form the bulk of barnacles food. Barnes & Bagenal (1951) found that growth rate of Balanus crenatus epizoic on the mud-burrowing prawn Nephrops norvegicus was considerably slower than animals on raft exposed panels. This was attributed to reduced currents and increased silt loading of water in the immediate vicinity of Nephrops norvegicus. On return to normal turbidity levels the growth rate of Balanus crenatus would resume quickly. | ||||
No information | ||||
Low | Very high | Very Low | Low | |
Balanus crenatus can tolerate all degrees of wave exposure. However, barnacle growth is greatest at exposed locations (Crisp, 1960), so a decrease in wave exposure may reduce growth rate of barnacles if no tidal stream is present, by reducing the renewal rate of the water and therefore the food supply. On return to normal wave exposure levels the growth rate would quickly resume. | ||||
No information | ||||
Tolerant | Not relevant | Not sensitive | Low | |
Barnacles are unlikely to be sensitive to noise. | ||||
Tolerant | Not relevant | Not sensitive | Low | |
Barnacles are unlikely to be sensitive to visual presence. | ||||
Intermediate | High | Low | Low | |
Balanus crenatus would probably be crushed by a heavy force, such as an anchor landing on it. However, it is small and individuals in fissures and crevices would probably survive. The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily colonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994) so recovery is predicted to be high. | ||||
High | High | Moderate | Low | |
Balanus crenatus is permanently attached to the substratum and could not survive if it was removed. However, the species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily colonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994) so recovery is predicted to be high. |
Intolerance | Recoverability | Sensitivity | Evidence/Confidence | |
High | High | Moderate | Very low | |
Barnacles have a low resilience to chemicals such as dispersants, dependant on the concentration and type of chemical involved (Holt et al., 1995). They are less intolerant than some species (e.g. Patella vulgata) to dispersants (Southward & Southward, 1978) and Balanus crenatus was the dominant species on pier pilings at a site subject to urban sewage pollution (Jakola & Gulliksen, 1987). Hoare & Hiscock (1974) found that Balanus crenatus survived near to an acidified halogenated effluent discharge where many other species were killed, suggesting a high tolerance to chemical contamination. Little information is available on the impact of endocrine disrupters on adult barnacles. Holt et al. (1995) concluded that barnacles are fairly sensitive to chemical pollution, therefore intolerance is reported as high. The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily recolonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994). Therefore, recovery is predicted to be high. | ||||
Intermediate | High | Low | Low | |
Barnacles accumulate heavy metals and store them as insoluble granules (Rainbow, 1987). Pyefinch & Mott (1948) recorded a median lethal concentration of 0.19 mg/l copper and 1.35 mg/l mercury, for Balanus crenatus over 24 hours. Barnacles may tolerate fairly high level of heavy metals in nature, for example they are found in Dulas Bay, Anglesey, where copper reaches concentrations of 24.5 µg/l, due to acid mine waste (Foster et al., 1978). The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily recolonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994). Therefore recovery is predicted to be high. | ||||
Low | High | Low | Very low | |
No information is available on the intolerance of Balanus crenatus to hydrocarbons. However, other littoral barnacles generally have a high tolerance to oil (Holt et al., 1995) and were little impacted by the Torrey Canyon oil spill (Smith, 1968) so Balanus crenatus is probably fairly resistant to oil. The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily recolonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994). Therefore recovery is predicted to be high. | ||||
No information | Not relevant | No information | Not relevant | |
Insufficient information | ||||
Intermediate | High | Low | Very low | |
A slight increase in nutrient levels could be beneficial for barnacles by promoting growth of phytoplankton and therefore increasing food supplies. Indeed, Balanus crenatus was the dominant species on pier pilings, which were subject to urban pollution (Jakola & Gulliksen, 1987). However, a large increase in nutrients could cause barnacles to be killed by the dense overgrowth of ephemeral green algae (Holt et al., 1995). The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily recolonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994). Therefore recovery is predicted to be high. | ||||
Low | Very high | Very Low | High | |
When subjected to sudden changes in salinity Balanus crenatus closes its opercular valves so that the blood is maintained temporarily at a constant osmotic concentration. Balanus crenatus can tolerate salinities down to 14 psu if given time to acclimate (Foster, 1970). At salinities below 6 psu motor activity ceases, respiration falls and the animal falls in to a "salt sleep". In this state the animals may survive in fresh water for 3 weeks, enabling them to withstand changes in salinity over moderately long periods (Barnes, 1953). | ||||
No information | ||||
High | High | Moderate | Very low | |
Balanus crenatus respires anaerobically so it can withstand some decrease in oxygen levels. When placed in wet nitrogen, where oxygen stress is maximal and desiccation stress is minimal, Balanus crenatus has a mean survival time of 3.2 days (Barnes et al., 1963). It is therefore predicted that the species would not survive low oxygen levels for a week, so intolerance is reported as high. The species is an important early colonizer of sublittoral rock surfaces (Kitching, 1937) and it heavily recolonized a site that was dredged for gravel within 7 months (Kenny & Rees, 1994). Therefore recovery is predicted to be high. |
Intolerance | Recoverability | Sensitivity | Evidence/Confidence | |
No information | Not relevant | No information | Not relevant | |
Insufficient information | ||||
No information | Not relevant | No information | Not relevant | |
Insufficient information | ||||
Not relevant | Not relevant | Not relevant | Not relevant | |
NR | ||||
Not relevant | Not relevant | Not relevant | Not relevant | |
NR |
- no data -
National (GB) importance | - | Global red list (IUCN) category | - |
Native | - | ||
Origin | - | Date Arrived | - |
Barnes, H. & Bagenal, T.B., 1951. Observations on Nephrops norvegicus and an epizoic population of Balanus crenatus. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 30, 369-380.
Barnes, H. & Powell, H.T., 1953. The growth of Balanus balanoides and B. crenatus under varying conditions of submersion. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 32, 107-127.
Barnes, H., 1953. The effect of lowered salinity on some barnacle nauplii. Journal of Animal Ecology, 22, 328-330.
Barnes, H., Finlayson, D.M. & Piatigorsky, J., 1963. The effect of desiccation and anaerobic conditions on the behaviour, survival and general metabolism of three common cirripedes. Journal of Animal Ecology, 32, 233-252.
Bassindale, R., 1964. British Barnacles. London: The Linnean Society of London.[Synopses of the British Fauna, no. 14.]
Clarke, G.L., 1947. Poisoning and recovery in barnacles and mussels. Biological Bulletin, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, 92, 73-91.
Crisp, D.J. (ed.), 1964. The effects of the severe winter of 1962-63 on marine life in Britain. Journal of Animal Ecology, 33, 165-210.
Crisp, D.J., 1960. Factors influencing the growth rate of Balanus balanoides. Journal of Animal Ecology, 29, 95-110.
Donahue, W.H., Wang, R.T., Welch, M., & Nicol, J.A.C., 1977. Effects of water-soluble components of petroleum oils and aromatic hydrocarbons on barnacle larvae. Environmental Pollution, 13, 187-202.
Foster, B.A., 1970. Responses and acclimation to salinity in the adults of some balanomorph barnacles. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B, 256, 377-400.
Foster, P., Hunt, D.T.E. & Morris, A.W., 1978. Metals in an acid mine stream and estuary. Science of the Total Environment, 9, 75-86.
Hoare, R. & Hiscock, K., 1974. An ecological survey of the rocky coast adjacent to the effluent of a bromine extraction plant. Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science, 2 (4), 329-348.
Jakola, K.J. & Gulliksen, B., 1987. Benthic communities and their physical environment to urban pollution from the city of Tromso, Norway. Sarsia, 72, 173-182.
JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee), 1999. Marine Environment Resource Mapping And Information Database (MERMAID): Marine Nature Conservation Review Survey Database. [on-line] http://www.jncc.gov.uk/mermaid
Kendall, M.A., Bowman, R.S., Williamson, P. & Lewis, J.R., 1985. Annual variation in the recruitment of Semibalanus balanoides on the North Yorkshire coast 1969-1981. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 65, 1009-1030.
Kenny, A.J. & Rees, H.L., 1994. The effects of marine gravel extraction on the macrobenthos: early post dredging recolonisation. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 28, 442-447.
Kitching, J.A., 1937. Studies in sublittoral ecology. II Recolonization at the upper margin of the sublittoral region; with a note on the denudation of Laminaria forest by storms. Journal of Ecology, 25, 482-495.
Mortlock, A.M., Fitzsimons, J.T.R. & Kerkaut, G.A., 1984. The effects of farnesol on the late stage nauplius and free swimming cypris larvae of Elminius modestus. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, 78A, 345-357.
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Southward, A.J., 1998. New observations on barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia) of the Azores Region. Arquipelago, 16A, 11-27.
Tighe-Ford, D.J., 1977. Effects of juvenile hormone analogues on larval metamorphosis in the barnacle Elminius modestus Darwin. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 26, 163-176.
Willemsen, P.R., Overbeke, K. & Suurmond, A., 1998. Repetitive testing of TBTO, Sea-nine 211 and farnesol using Balanus amphitrite (Darwin) cypris larvae: variability in larval sensitivity. Biofouling, 12, 133-147.
Wu, R.S.S., Lam, P.K.S. & Zhou, B.S., 1997. Effects of two oil dispersants on phototaxis and swimming behaviour of barnacle larvae. Hydrobiologia, 352, 9-16.
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Kent Wildlife Trust, 2018. Biological survey of the intertidal chalk reefs between Folkestone Warren and Kingsdown, Kent 2009-2011. Occurrence dataset: https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/ accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01.
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Lancashire Environment Record Network, 2018. LERN Records. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/esxc9a accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.
Manx Biological Recording Partnership, 2018. Isle of Man historical wildlife records 1990 to 1994. Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/aru16v accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.
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This review can be cited as:
Last Updated: 17/05/2004