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Barnacle: Difference between revisions
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
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] | 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] | ||
== Anatomy == | == Anatomy == | ||
There are several parts that make up a barnacle. The outermost layer of a barnacle is its shell. The shell of the adult barnacle is usually composed of four to eight Calcereous plates which form | There are several parts that make up a barnacle. The outermost layer of a barnacle is its shell. The shell of the adult barnacle is usually composed of four to eight Calcereous plates which can form different shapes depending on the species of barnacle.[http://www.mesa.edu.au/friends/seashores/barnacles.html] This hole is also covered by two calcereous plates which can pull back to reveal the inside of the barnacle.[http://museumvictoria.com.au/crust/barnbiol.html] These plates will grow and expand by adding more material to itself. | ||
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacle] | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacle] | ||
These plates are operated by several sets of muscles. The scutal depressor muscles, the scutal abductor muscle, and the tergal depressor muscle are used to open and close the two plates that cover the opening to the barnacle.[http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/balanus.html] | These plates are operated by several sets of muscles. The scutal depressor muscles, the scutal abductor muscle, and the tergal depressor muscle are used to open and close the two plates that cover the opening to the barnacle.[http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/balanus.html] | ||
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The digestive system is composed of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and anus. The digestion process looks something like this: After the Barnacle's cirri feed the food to the mouth it goes down a short esophagus. After flowing through the esophagus it ends up in the stomach, where it is stored for some time. It then goes down the small intestine where the nutrition is absorbed. After the nutrition is absorbed the waste is then excreted out the anus, which is then filtered back out into the ocean.[http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/balanus.html] | The digestive system is composed of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and anus. The digestion process looks something like this: After the Barnacle's cirri feed the food to the mouth it goes down a short esophagus. After flowing through the esophagus it ends up in the stomach, where it is stored for some time. It then goes down the small intestine where the nutrition is absorbed. After the nutrition is absorbed the waste is then excreted out the anus, which is then filtered back out into the ocean.[http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/balanus.html] | ||
Barnacles also have two antennules that secrete a cement-like glue that they use to attach themselves to rocks, boats ,and many other surfaces. The glue is secreted by cement glands located inside of the barnacle.[http://museumvictoria.com.au/discoverycentre/infosheets/how-do-barnacles-cement-themselves-to-rocks/] | Barnacles also have two antennules that secrete a cement-like glue that they use to attach themselves to rocks, boats, and many other surfaces. The glue is secreted by cement glands located inside of the barnacle.[http://museumvictoria.com.au/discoverycentre/infosheets/how-do-barnacles-cement-themselves-to-rocks/] | ||
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The first step of the process is fertilization. The barnacle will release sperm into the ocean through its penis. The sperm will travel until another barnacle consumes the sperm. When the sperm reaches another barnacle it is delivered to the mantle cavity to fertilize the eggs that are stored there. In some species the barnacle will extend its extremely long penis to another barnacle and inject the sperm to fertilize it.[http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/balanus.html] | The first step of the process is fertilization. The barnacle will release sperm into the ocean through its penis. The sperm will travel until another barnacle consumes the sperm. When the sperm reaches another barnacle it is delivered to the mantle cavity to fertilize the eggs that are stored there. In some species the barnacle will extend its extremely long penis to another barnacle and inject the sperm to fertilize it.[http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/balanus.html] | ||
The eggs will hatch as a nauplius: small larval creatures with one eye, two antennae, and several mandibles. [http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/balanus.html] The nauplius will usually | The eggs will hatch as a nauplius: a small larval creatures with one eye, two antennae, and several mandibles. [http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/balanus.html] The nauplius will usually moult six times before it morphs into the next stage. It usually moults once before it is released from the mantle cavity and into the open ocean. [http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Barnacle#encyclopedia] | ||
After it has spent its time as a free-swimming creature and has moulted enough it will change into its next form. The cypris stage of a barnacle is a [[bivalve]] with the creature between the two shells. The cypris has one naupliar eye, and two compound eyes that it uses to navigate around the ocean. It has an antennae from its previous form and six pairs of appendages that help it to move around the ocean.[http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/balanus.html] It then uses its attennae to find an appropriate location to settle. This search can take days or weeks, and the cypris conserves energy by not feeding. When the cypris has found somewhere to settle it extends its antennae to the surface and secretes a cement-like substance. It then pulls itself to that surface and becomes permanently attached. After time it will eventually morph into its adult form.[http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Barnacle] | After it has spent its time as a free-swimming creature and has moulted enough it will change into its next form. The cypris stage of a barnacle is a [[bivalve]] with the creature between the two shells. The cypris has one naupliar eye, and two compound eyes that it uses to navigate around the ocean. It has an antennae from its previous form and six pairs of appendages that help it to move around the ocean.[http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/balanus.html] It then uses its attennae to find an appropriate location to settle. This search can take days or weeks, and the cypris conserves energy by not feeding. When the cypris has found somewhere to settle it extends its antennae to the surface and secretes a cement-like substance. It then pulls itself to that surface and becomes permanently attached. After time it will eventually morph into its adult form.[http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Barnacle] | ||
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Barnacles are marine animals that live in both shallow and tidal waters.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacles]They can be found anywhere in the intertidal zone on just about any coast in the world. They are found just about anywhere.[http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/ciriipedia/cirripedia.htm] They can also be found glued to just about any surface. These surfaces include ships, rocks, whales, and docks.[http://library.thinkquest.org/J001418/barnacles.html] | Barnacles are marine animals that live in both shallow and tidal waters.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacles]They can be found anywhere in the intertidal zone on just about any coast in the world. They are found just about anywhere.[http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/ciriipedia/cirripedia.htm] They can also be found glued to just about any surface. These surfaces include ships, rocks, whales, and docks.[http://library.thinkquest.org/J001418/barnacles.html] | ||
Their predators include [[sea stars]], [[sea snails]], some [[birds]], [[fish]] (Such as | Their predators include [[sea stars]], [[sea snails]], some [[birds]], [[fish]] (Such as Sheephead), and [[worms]]. Also dangerous chemicals can harm the Barnacles. This can be toxic to barnacles when oil spills occur.[http://library.thinkquest.org/J001418/barnacles.html] Limpets and Muscles also invade and compete with the barnacles for space.[http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Barnacle] | ||
There are two ways that barnacles use to overcome their predators. The first and most obvious is a very fast and effecient reproductive system. This enables the barnacles to produce higher up and closer to shore, allowing them to get bigger and harder to reach from | There are two ways that barnacles use to overcome their predators. The first and most obvious is a very fast and effecient reproductive system. This enables the barnacles to produce higher up and closer to shore, allowing them to get bigger and making them harder to reach from predators. The second is a defense called "Swamping". In Swamping the Barnacles Produce a high number of offspring that all cling to one specific area. This ensures that there's a good chance that at least a few of them will survive. These are both effective strategies in defense against predators.[http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Barnacle] | ||
The Barnacles are suspension feeders that are sessile and feed on detritus and plankton. They use their net-like cirri to reach out into the water and back in a constant drum-like rhythm. [http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Barnacle] | The Barnacles are suspension feeders that are sessile and feed on detritus and plankton. They use their net-like cirri to reach out into the water and back in a constant drum-like rhythm. [http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Barnacle] | ||
== Biomimicry == | == Biomimicry == | ||
