Settlement of Balanus Balanoides: The Effect of Cyprid Antennular Secretion

In a recent paper we reported on the discovery of an adhesive antennular secretion used by exploring cyprids of Balanus balanoides (L.) and hinted at its possible implication in settlement behaviour (Walker & Yule, 1984). This secretion is thought to be modified integumentary protein. Since the integumentary protein of adult B. balanoides is widely accepted as a powerful stimulus to settlement (Knight-Jones, 1953; Crisp & Meadows, 1962, 1963; Larman, Gabbott & East, 1982), we devised settlement experiments in May 1984 to investigate whether cyprid antennular secretion acts in a similar manner. The outcome of these experiments with B. balanoides cyprids is presented here.