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Echoes of life: unveiling the cryptic legacy of Megabalanus azoricus dead shells on epibiont assemblages

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Abstract

Barnacles provide a unique substrate for a diverse array of species. This paper focuses on the epibionts inhabiting the giant barnacle Megabalanus azoricus, exploring their diversity, interactions with host, and the ecological implications in bioengineering. This species is a valuable and vital socioeconomic resource, endemic of the Macaronesian region, and OSPAR species, hence with some degree of international concern. Empty barnacles were collected in different locations on São Miguel Island, Azores, at two depths (surface and 10 m): one in the south (Vila Franca do Campo) and two in the north (Ponta do Cintrão and Fenais da Ajuda). Epibionts were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic category and barnacle height, base, and opening diameters were recorded. One hundred eighteen different taxa were observed, of which 30 were algae, mainly red, and the most predominant were polychaetes, arthropods, and sipunculids, with a significant prevalence of polychaetes and arthropods at the north. Arthropods and polychaetes were more abundant in the shallower samples, while sipunculids were only found in the deeper ones. Only two barnacles did not present juveniles of M. azoricus on their walls, with this species representing approximately 21% of all epibionts. The empty shells of M. azoricus are of key importance for a high diversity and quantity of epibionts, especially when compared with other basibionts, and also vital for the establishment and recruitment of the younger barnacles. However, this may be impaired by its increasing socioeconomic importance as a marine delicacy for locals and tourists, threatening its sustainability and ecological role within the coastal ecosystems.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This work is funded by National Funds through FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology under the project UIDB/50027/2020. It was also supported by FEDER (85%) and regional funds (15%) through Programa Operacional Açores 2020.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. OKEANOS, Ocean Sciences Institute, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal

    A. Larrea & P. Torres

  2. IMAR, Institute of Marine Research, Horta, Portugal

    A. Larrea & P. Torres

  3. Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, 9500-321, Ponta Delgada, Portugal

    D. Ferreira, A. C. Costa & P. Torres

  4. CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBio Associate Laboratory, BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning; UNESCO Chair – Land Within Sea: Biodiversity & Sustainability in Atlantic Islands, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, 9500-321, Ponta Delgada, Portugal

    A. C. Costa & P. Torres

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  1. A. Larrea
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. The first draft of the manuscript was written by AL and DF and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to A. Larrea.

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Animal research in this study was ethically approved by the project UIDB/50027/2020 and conducted in accordance with the legal regulations of the region. Every effort was taken to ensure the well-being and ethical treatment of the animals involved. The study adhered to the principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), maintaining rigorous standards for research conduct.

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Larrea, A., Ferreira, D., Costa, A.C. et al. Echoes of life: unveiling the cryptic legacy of Megabalanus azoricus dead shells on epibiont assemblages. Aquat Sci 86, 55 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-024-01071-0

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