The goal of my project is to determine whether three species of barnacles, Jehlius cirratus, Notochthamalus scabrosus, and Notobalanus flosculus exhibit habitat selection during settlement. Previous work by Fabian Tapia and colleagues suggest that the two Chthamaloid species, J. cirratus and N. scabrosus, do not exhibit habitat selection while the Balanoid N. floculus does. But no one has tested it directly. To test this, I have placed plates with different substrates at different sites in the intertidal. What I'm also hoping to see is whether micro- (flat versus rough surface) or macro-habitat (light versus shade) is more important in influencing settlement patterns in the intertidal. As promised, here are some photos of my plates in the field:
Plates facing SE, which get more shade.
Wish me luck!
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