barnacle
Multatria filigranus
This barnacle has an extremely ridged shell wall. These ridges even extend onto the basal cup of the barnacle and in between each ridge there are small pores that perforate the shell giving it a sieve like appearance. Internally the body of this barnacle is similar to other barnacles in that it has six feathery appendages called cirri with which to feed.
Morphology
The ridged shell wall and basal plate are distinctive of this species. The basal plate is often elongated in order to keep pace with the growth of the sponge. 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
Embedded in sponges.
Distribution
Western Australia, Japan.
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subclass: | Thecostraca |
| Order: | Sessilia |
| Suborder: | Balanomorpha |
| Superfamily: | Balanoidea |
| Family: | Archaeobalanidae |
| Genus: | Multatria |
| Species: | filigranus |
| Name Published Year: | 1916 |
|---|---|
| Rank: | species |
| Scientific Name Authorship: | Broch |
| Commercial Impact: | None |
| Conservation Assessment: | Least Concern |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/multatria-filigranus
Accessed 23 Aug 2025
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