Barnacle: Difference between revisions

== Introduction ==

The barnacle is in infraclass Cirripedia. The name Cirripedia is actually derived from Latin and translates to the term "Joint Footed".[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacles] If you don't know much about barnacles then you should know that they are  [[sessile]], [[filter feeding]] animals 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.  Of course not all barnacles cling to boats, rocks, and other surfaces.  Some species are parasites and can infest themselves in crabs.  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 ==

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/]

== Reproduction ==

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]

== Ecology ==

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]

== Biomimicry ==

{{Biology portal}}

== References ==

* [http://www.mesa.edu.au/friends/seashores/barnacles.html Barnacles]  by Keith Davey, Published by MESA, 2000.