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The antifouling (AF) properties of phytochemicals isolated from the Mediterranean brown seaweed Taonia atomaria have been assayed against several colonizing organisms. Eight compounds were isolated and their chemical structures characterized by spectroscopic techniques (NMR, MS) and comparison with literature data. The phytochemical composition of the extracts of T. atomaria was found to be mainly attributable to sesquiterpenes. Accordingly, a new germacrane, germacra-4(15),5,10(14)-trien-9-ol ( 1 ), is described together with five other sesquiterpenoids (-)-gleenol ( 2 ); α -cadinol methyl ether ( 3 ), (-)- trans -calamenene ( 4 ), (1 S , 5 E , 7 S ) 1-acetoxygermacra-4(15),5,10(14)-triene ( 5 ), and 4-peroxymuurol-5-ene ( 6 ). Moreover, two lipidic compounds, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, (5 Z , 8 Z , 11 Z , 14 Z , 17 Z )-eicosa-5,8,11,14,17-pentaenoic acid ( 7 ), and a glycerol derivative, sn-3- O -(geranylgeranyl)glycerol ( 8 ), were also isolated. The known compounds 3 , 6 – 7 are described here for the first time from this alga. In comparison with commercial antifoulants [tributyltin oxide (TBTO), zineb, and copper pyrithione (CuPT)], compounds 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , and 8 were evaluated for their toxicity and capacity to inhibit the settlement of five bacteria isolated from marine biofilms. Toxicity and anti-settlement activity of 1 , 2 , and 6 were also assessed against two barnacle species ( Amphibalanus amphitrite and Balanus perforatus ). Regarding bacteria, a significant anti-adhesion effect was recorded for 8 (EC 50 between 25 and 50 μM) with moderate associated toxicity. Considering the settlement inhibition of barnacle cyprids, (-)-gleenol ( 2 ) exhibited a strong AF efficacy (EC 50  < 5 μM) with moderate toxicity. In addition, as B. perforatus showed similar responses to the reference A. amphitrite with all compounds, this species may be proposed as an alternative model for anti-macrofouling assessment, especially in temperate areas. Overall, these results suggest that a number of the tested compounds could, alone or in combination, play a critical role in limiting the fouling at the T. atomaria surface.

The distribution of cirripede cyprids in relation to associated oceanographic conditions was obtained from a grid survey and intensive vertical sampling at a fixed station located 21 km off the northwest Portuguese coast in May 2002. Analysis of cyprid length composition allowed separation of 3 species groups.Chthamalus montagui,Pollicipes pollicipesandBalanus perforatuswere largely restricted to the neuston layer and showed only low-amplitude vertical migration. MostC. stellatuscyprids only appeared in the upper 20 m at night, a migration which did not appear to be affected by physical conditions in the water column, but some differences in the vertical migration pattern between days were probably related to varying light penetration.C. montaguiis the most abundant adult species found along the Portuguese coast, butC. stellatuscyprids, at densities of up to 8.7 ind. m–3, were the most common sampled in all depth strata at the fixed station. Cyprid horizontal distribution was mainly restricted to an offshore band along the inner shelf, where highest densities were 11 to 15 ind. m–3. This distribution pattern was considered to result from upwelling-favourable wind conditions, creating fronts along the shelf in which the cyprids become concentrated. Cyprid vertical migration, in association with current vertical shear and onshore movement of fronts during upwelling-relaxation periods, may be the mechanisms returning cyprids to the coast to settle. The regularity of these events in the region falls within the period of cyprid viability.

There are few reports of non-cryogenic preservation method for marine invertebrates, so potable alcohol and acetone-based nail varnish remover (NVR) are for the first time evaluated against absolute ethanol as short-term preservatives of whole barnacles. Performance of ethanol and NVR-preserved material was comparable, but potable alcohol was significantly worse. These results are of practical importance for fieldwork in remoter areas where laboratory chemicals are unattainable but potable alcohol or NVR are locally available. Of these, acetone-based NVR would be the solvent of preference.

Feeding behavior of barnacles may be determined by various factors such as water flow direction, flow velocity, type and location of substratum, predators, systematics, and more. In this study, two shallow-water barnacles from the Red Sea, Amphibalanus (= Balanus) amphitrite and Tetraclita rufotincta, and one from the Mediterranean, Perforatus (= Balanus) perforatus, were examined. Four feeding behavioral parameters were tested under changing conditions of flow direction: cirral fan turning angle, beat duration, beat rate, and percentage of time spent collecting food. When exposed to water, Tetraclita and Amphibalanus collected food vigorously and continuously, regardless of flow direction, while Perforatus perforatus spent far less time and effort collecting food. The differences in feeding behavior may indicate that food is more abundant for the Mediterranean barnacle than it is for the two Red Sea species. The nocturnal behavior of Tetraclita can be attributed to the higher abundance of food particles at night, and/or a diminished risk of predation at night.

Sessile barnacle assemblages, dominated by Concavus concavus (Bronn) and Balanus perforatus Bruguière, are very abundant in the Lower Pliocene deposits of the Almería-Níjar and Carboneras basins (southeastern Spain). They occur in shallow-coastal siliciclastic and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sediments, forming dense concentrations in two contexts: (1) sheltered shallow-marine depressions and (2) the mouth of distributary channels feeding a delta lobe. Extensive colonization took place during periods of quiescence with a high nutrient and food supply inducing the formation of hummocks. Crowding of high morphotypes was presumably triggered by a high larval supply and recruitment rate. The barnacles are exceptionally well preserved, often as in situ clusters, many with opercula, and include a range of ontogenetic stages with some specimens preserving original colouration. Good preservation is probably due to sudden burial without further reworking.

Offshore aquaculture at Sagres on the south west coast of Portugal is affected by heavy biofouling on the infrastructure (\"long-lines\", flotation bouys, and nets) as well as on the oyster stock. This study has used the protocol for the baseline study of a European Union funded project on the Collective Research for Aquaculture Biofouling (www.crabproject.com) to assess fouling pressure. Only the recruitment patterns of barnacles (Balanus perforatus), tubeworms (Pomatoceros triqueter), and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) are considered, as they have the greatest commercial impact on oyster culture at Sagres, both by increasing the cleaning costs and by competing with the stock for space and food. Ten PVC panels (20cm²) from the CRAB protocol were deployed on a \"long line\" for 25 months between March 2005 and April 2007. The distribution and weight of fouling on the front of each panel was recorded monthly over this period, together with wind speed and direction, sea surface temperature and chlorophyll a. The results showed a regime of strong north winds, between late spring and early autumn, which promoted the occurrence of upwelling events reflected by lower temperatures (14 – 15°C) and higher chlorophyll concentrations (> 2.0 mg m⁻³). Fouling pressure was more prevalent during the upwelling season, with Balanus recruiting mainly to the edge of the panels between April and May, whilst Pomatoceros had a wider recruitment period with a general distribution throughout the panel. Mytilus recruitment was only observed on the rear of the panels, which was not considered under the protocol. However, previous studies, using different protocols, had observed the settlement of Mytilus throughout the year with peaks during late spring and early autumn. This type of study helps aquaculture managers to implement antifouling strategies at the right period of the farming cycle, although some adjustments are necessary to the CRAB protocol to reflect mussel fouling.

The distribution of the warm-water barnacle, Balanus perforatus, was surveyed along the south coast of England and the north-east coast of France between 1993 and 2001, repeating work carried out between the 1940s and 1960s. The species has recovered from catastrophic mortality during the severe winter of 1962–1963 and was found over 120 km (UK) and 190 km (France) east of previous records on both sides of the Channel. The presence of the species in the eastern Channel refutes suggestions in the 1950s that larvae, and hence adults, would not be found east of the Isle of Wight because of reproductive sterility close to the limits of distribution. Brooding of specimens translocated to Bembridge, Isle of Wight, commenced in May, earlier than previously observed in British waters, and continued until September. The stage of embryo development at Bembridge in mid-August was comparable to that of the large population at Lyme Regis, Dorset 100 km further west. However the size of brood per standard body weight was greater at Lyme Regis. Factors influencing the rate of colonization and further geographic range extension of the species as a possible result of climate change, are discussed.

A multivariate approach was used to test the value of intertidal communities as a bioindicator of environmental conditions at Algeciras Bay, southern Spain. The study area is located in the Strait of Gibraltar and it is subjected to a variety of anthropic impacts. Eight localities (5 inside and 3 outside the bay) were selected, and four transects were undertaken in each locality to characterise the fauna and flora. The spatial distribution of the intertidal species reflected the physico-chemical conditions of Algeciras Bay. The stations located outside the bay, characterised by high hydrodynamism and dissolved oxygen and low sedimentation and turbidity, had a higher diversity and species richness than the inner stations. According to the BIO-ENV procedure and CCA, water turbidity was the factor which best correlated with the intertidal assemblages. SIMPER showed that the molluscs Chtamalus stellatus, Mytilus cf edulis, Littorina neritoides and Balanus perforatus, and the algae Gelidium pusillum, Corallina elongata, Asparagopsis armata, Colpomenia sinuosa and Fucus spiralis were the species that most contributed to the dissimilarity between internal and external sites. The present study, based on the spatial distribution of intertidal taxa, yielded similar results to those previously obtained in the area with costly physico-chemical analysis based on complex matrices of subtidal epifaunal communities. Consequently, the intertidal sampling method proposed in this study is presented here as a quick, effective alternative strategy, and can be useful in environmental monitoring programs, since these communities are easily accessible and amenable to sample, and the sessile nature of the majority of the species makes future, long-term monitoring relatively simple.

Chthamalus stellatus and C. montagui are warm-water barnacles common on rocky shores in southwest England, Ireland, and southern Europe. They are partly sympatric, with overlapping vertical and horizontal distributions. It has been suggested that the differing horizontal distribution of the adults may be related to differences in the distribution of the larval stages. To this end, we have examined plankton samples taken during the summer breeding period at Plymouth, from inshore to 15 miles offshore. The samples also contained large numbers of other cirriped nauplii, notably Elminius modestus, Balanus perforatus, B. crenatus, and Verruca stroemia, from which the chthamalids had to be distinguished. The chthamalids can be separated from the other nauplii by use of characters that include a unilobed or trilobed labrum, the length of posterior processes and the shape and size of the cephalic shield, but the two species of Chthamalus are more difficult to distinguish. Scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.) has allowed development of a key to the main barnacle nauplii occurring off the British Isles. This key, with accompanying SEM photographs, will enable enumeration of the two chthamalids and help answer the question whether there is a differential distribution of the larvae of these species.

Twenty-nine dead loggerhead turtles, washed ashore at various localities in northern Greece, were sampled. Study of the material collected revealed 9 species of Cirripedia Thoracica. Chelonibia patula (Ranzani, 1818), Balanus perforatus Bruguière, 1789, and Pachylasma giganteum (Philippi, 1836) are reported for the first time as epibionts of Caretta caretta. The results are discussed in relation to the relevant literature. /// Vingt-neuf tortues carets mortes, échouées en diverses localités au nord de la Grèce, ont été collectées. L'étude du matériel récolté a révélé la présence de 9 espèces de Cirripedia Thoracica. Chelonibia patula (Ranzani, 1818), Balanus perforatus Bruguière, 1789 et Pachylasma giganteum (Philippi, 1836) sont signalés pour la première fois comme épibiontes de Caretta caretta. Les résultats sont discutées en fonction des données de la littérature.