Megabalanus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Megabalanus Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fossilized M. tintinnabulum shells | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Thecostraca |
| Subclass: | Cirripedia |
| Order: | Balanomorpha |
| Family: | Balanidae |
| Subfamily: | Megabalaninae |
| Genus: | Megabalanus Hoek, 1913[1] |
Megabalanus is a genus of barnacles in the family Balanidae. Members of the genus grow to 7 cm (2.8 in) in length and inhabit the lower intertidal zone.
Megabalanus is an acorn barnacle, a sessile crustacean that secretes a calcium carbonate shell consisting of five plates. It reaches up to 7 cm (2.8 in) in height .[2][3][4]
Ecology
Like other barnacles, they are suspension feeders, grabbing particulate matter from the water column overhead. M. tintinnabulum has a worldwide distribution and is commonly found on wave-beaten shores, in the lower intertidal zone.[4] They tend to grow in clusters of around 12 individuals. Other species are more select, such as M. californicus of tidal habitats in California and the greater North American Pacific Coast.
While many barnacles deal with competition for space by organisms such as limpets and mussels by growing many organisms close together in colonies, Megabalanus responds by rapidly growing to a very large size.[4] Their large size also helps reduce predation, although it makes them large enough to be harvested for human consumption.
