HOMEPAGE

FOSSILS CRUSTACEANS TERMINOLOGY REFERENCES LINKS

 

CIRRIPEDE (GOOSE BARNACLE) TERMINOLOGY

 

Cirripedes are highly modified crustaceans.  The adult stage attaches to a hard substrate by means of an elongate stalk (peduncle) (the head-end), whilst the main body is protected within an array of calcareous valves (the capitulum).  Modern rocky-shore barnacles lack a peduncle.  Modified appendages are extended through an aperture in the capitulum and move rapidly to generate water currents and draw in food particles. 

[LINKS]

A              B

1).  (A) Modern goose barnacle with a well developed capitulum possessing robust valves.  The fleshy peduncle was naked in life and has withered somewhat after death (x2).  Plaster cast of a fossil form (Stramentum pulchellum, x3.1)This form has a relatively small capitulum, but a large and heavily armoured peduncle.

 

LINKS

        * Barnacle Biology

        * Barnacle images

        * Barnacles with appendages extended