ACORN BARNACLE |
SEMIBALANUS BALANOIDES |
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| Fig 1 |
DESCRIPTION: Up to 20mm in diameter. A common sight in the right areas this whitish-cream barnacle is basically conical to circular with a wavy edge, with the 6 wall plates strong and wavy and the with the orifice angled at the apex and rounded below. When the tide rises to cover the barnacles, the operculum opens, and feathery cirri appear and filter food from the water. The base of this species is membranous distinguishing it from similar species which have solid calcified bases. The species is static and cannot move around. DISTRIBUTION: Found on all rocky coasts throughout. HABITAT: On rocks, stones and the shells of molluscs. BEST TIME TO SEE: All year round. |