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Compressive and adhesive strengths of a variety of British barnacles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2009

S. Gubbay
S. Gubbay
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, York, YO1 5DD
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Abstract

The shell strengths of seven species of barnacle were investigated by carrying out a series of compression and tension experiments. All species were tested under compression as solitary individuals. In addition the shell strength of crowded Semibalanus balanoides was determined. Results of the compression experiments show Balanus balanus and B. perforatus to be the strongest species with Verruca stroemia the weakest. All species were much weaker in tension than compression, particularly those with a calcified base, B. balanus being the weakest of the five species tested in this way.

The possibility of adaptive design of the barnacle shell to withstand wave action and predation techniques is discussed in the light of the results from the compression and tension experiments. Finally the importance of carrying out a wide range of tests of the shells when trying to determine their strength is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 63 , Issue 3 , August 1983 , pp. 541 - 555
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1983

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