Barnacle: Difference between revisions

The barnacle is in infraclass Cirripedia. Cirripedia is derived from Latin and means "Joint Footed".[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacles] If you don't know much about barnacles then you should know that they are a sessile, filter feeding animal covered in calcereous plates that stick to surfaces such as rocks or ships.[http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/ciriipedia/cirripedia.htm]  They are in the same family as crabs and lobsters, and they are very hard to remove from the surfaces they are attached to.  Sailors regard them as a major problem because when vast quantities attach themselves to ships it creates a major problem for both the sailors and the boat.  However sailors can cover the boat in a copper bottom oxide that keeps the larval stage of barnacles away from the boat.  Barnacles are amazing creatures and I marvel at the Creator when ever I look at them.[http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/factsheets/597barnacle.html]