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Six-plated Barnacle
Chthamalus antennatus
-38.3912, 145.12
Field Notes
Description:
Encrustations of barnacles on a beach-groyne. These barnacles had broad bases with six hard peripheral plates and two top plates, forming the operculum. Some barnacles showed smooth plates (pic 2/3) while some had plates with ridges (pic 4).
Habitat:
Found studding a beach-groyne ( a wooden "fence" perpendicular to the shore line to stop sand drift/erosion ) high up on the shore. This part of the beach is submerged during high tides.
Notes:
These might seem uninteresting encrustations but are really fascinating relatives of crabs, prawns. The link below has interesting information <br>
http://www.mesa.edu.au/friends/seashores/barnacles.html
The plates on the barnacle in pic 2 are heavily worn. Barnacles like the one in pic 4 show ridged plates that might indicate less intra-species competition.
http://www.mesa.edu.au/friends/seashores/barnacles.html <br>
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Maxillopoda
Subclass: Thecostraca
Infraclass: Cirripedia
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