Fecundity, growth rate and survivorship at the interface between two contiguous genetically distinct groups of Semibalanus balanoides

Abstract

On the western coast of the Atlantic, according to the literature, 2 distinct groups of Semibalanus balanoides occur with a distinct interface near the Miramichi Estuary, New Brunswick, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. On each side of this interface, the groups are characterized by clinal variations for MPI (mannose-6-phosphate isomerase) and GPI (glucose-6-phosphate isomerase). The present study was carried out to determine whether selection occurs at this interface, to establish how early in the sessile life period it occurs and to examine the selecting forces involved. Reciprocal transplant experiments of newly settled individuals to both sides of the interface were carried out. No significant differences specifically linked to source or destination were observed in growth or fecundity for the 2 groups at the sites studied for either control or transplanted individuals. However, differences in survival were observed; individuals transplanted south of the estuary showed lower survival than individuals transplanted north. An allozyme analysis of barnacle survivors for MPI and GPI, 2 alleles whose frequencies are known to vary abruptly in this region, indicated a change of allele frequency in transplanted individuals. The transplants' allele frequencies came to resemble those of adults from target sites, while no change occurred in transplanted individuals at control sites. Taken together with previous results, our study suggests that selection occurs very early in the newly settled individuals (spat).