Animal Profiles
Crustaceans

Barnacle

Cirripedia

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Barnacles are crustaceans whose adults are fixed in place. This account follows the northern acorn barnacle, which lives within a plated shell and gathers food carried by seawater.

Northern acorn barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides), the representative described here.

Northern acorn barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides), the representative described here.

Auguste Le Roux · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Semibalanus balanoides is the representative used here. This account focuses on North Atlantic rocky shores, where attached adults experience alternating immersion and exposure as tides change.
Habitat
Coast
Diet
Filter feeder
Food
Feathery limbs strain plankton and other particles from passing water.

Classification

Common name
Barnacle
Browse group
Crustaceans
Scientific name or taxon
Cirripedia
Source classification
Thecostraca

Three things to know

  • It is a crustacean.
  • Adults remain attached.
  • Its limbs collect food from seawater.

Habitat and range

Semibalanus balanoides is the representative used here. This account focuses on North Atlantic rocky shores, where attached adults experience alternating immersion and exposure as tides change.

Appearance and adaptations

Pale calcareous plates form the outer wall, with movable plates guarding the opening. The adult's jointed feeding limbs can extend through that opening when submerged.

Diet and behaviour

Feathery limbs strain plankton and other particles from passing water. Adults remain attached to the same surface and withdraw within their plates when disturbed. Nearby individuals can reproduce by cross-fertilisation.

Sources

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