barnacle
Membranobalanus sp.1
Membranobalanus lack a calcareous base plate instead they have a chitnious membrane to seal the base of the shell wall. As the barnacle grows the rostrum and carina (the front and back wall plates) elongate as the barnacle keeps pace with the growth of the host sponge.
Morphology
The shell plates are smooth and there is no base plate, replaced instead with a chitinous membrane. Two pairs of plates form and operculum to block the entrance to the shell and helps protect the animal inside from predators and desiccation.
Evolution
Current research being carried out by the WA Museum is investigating the evolution of this group and their relationship with their hosts.
Behaviour
Barnacles are sessile, being permanently attached to the substratum. Barnacles feed by filtering the water column for food using highly modified limbs, called cirri.
Method of reproduction
Hermaphroditic, internal fertilisation
Habitat
Marine
Found embedded in Cliona sponges.
Distribution
Tropical Australia.
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subclass: | Thecostraca |
| Order: | Sessilia |
| Suborder: | Balanomorpha |
| Superfamily: | Balanoidea |
| Family: | Archaeobalanidae |
| Genus: | Membranobalanus |
| Species: | sp.1 |
| Rank: | species |
|---|---|
| Commercial Impact: | None |
| Conservation Assessment: | Least Concern |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/membranobalanus-sp1
Accessed 29 Aug 2025
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