On the Biology of an Intertidal Chthamalid (Crustacea, Cirripedia) from the Chukchi Sea

Abstract

A Pacific-boreal species, Chthamalus dalli occurs in the narrow intertidal zone near Cape Thompson, Alaska. Diatoms and filamentous green algae, but no other animals, were associated with the barnacles, which apparently survive the winter frozen in the ice foot. Growth is less than in southern species, but continues for five or more years; maturity is reached in two years and breeding can occur at a water temperature of 6C. There appears to be only a very slight cold adaptation, shown by cirral activity, compared with C. dalli from Southeast Alaska and southern California.