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Gooseneck Barnacle
Pollicipes polymerus
8.56509, -83.5112
Field Notes
Description:
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Cirripedia
Order: Thoracica Family: Scalpellidae Genus: Pollicipes
Species: polymerus
It has a fleshy stalk which attaches it to rocks or floating objects. The long neck is about up to 10cm. compared to the shell which is 5 cm. long. It has a leathery appearance with small bumps. The body consists of the peduncle and capitulum. The peduncle is the attachment organ but also contains ovaries and some muscles. It is covered with tiny ossicles on short fleshy stalk. the capitulum consists of most of the animal, including all appendages except the first antennae, The capitulum is ventral.
(from: http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/eco/taxalab/bio2003/pollicipesp/polli…)
Habitat:
Globally, it is found from the southern region of Alaska to Baja, California. It is attached to rocks at the high intertidal zone and all organisms in a particular area will be oriented towards the same direction. It normally occurs on wave beaten rocks. These barnacles have undergone extensive harvesting on the shorelines of the North Pacific, in particular around urban areas. Typically our record of conservation has been poor and continued harvesting results in very little stock recruitment and consequently a diminishing stock of this species. People of Western European origin frequently have a desire to eat this species,as it tastes very much like crab. (from: http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/eco/taxalab/bio2003/pollicipesp/polli…)
Notes:
We found these in the tide pools on the beach down from El Remanso Lodge on the Osa Peninsula.
Along w/ the Gooseneck Barnacles in this photo, you will see Chiton. (Class: Polyplacophora) Chitons have a dorsal shell composed of 8 plates. A ventral foot is used for locomotion and for attachment to rocks. It pulls itself close to rocks for protection.
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