Semibalanus Balanoides, Arthropoda

674 Words3 Pages
Semibalanus balanoides, Arthropoda Studied for eight years by Darwin, the Semibalanus balanoides, commonly known as the acorn barnacle, is found within the rocky intertidal zone. Practicing a sessile lifestyle, S. balanoides is generally found clinging to solid objects such as the rocks and other substrate found along the shoreline. Representing an evolved form of shrimp, the barnacle has six pairs of legs and is protected by six calcified plates. These plates are arranged in such a manner, causing the organism to have bilateral symmetry. While this organism is found in temperate to cool waters, it thrives along the rocky coast of Great Britain and other European shorelines as well as on the coasts of North America. Semibalanus balanoides are a part of the secondary trophic level as suspension feeders. To obtain food they can use one of two methods: actively kicking with their six pairs of legs to drive food towards its mouth or simply extending their legs to passively gather food flowing through the surrounding current. Research has shown that the barnacle generally practices active feeding during times of low current and passive feeding during times of high current. Its food generally consists of zooplankton, phytoplankton, and decaying plant matter. Some of the main organisms that prey on the barnacle include the whelk, shanny, seastar, and nudibranche. As a defense from predators, the barnacle has the ability to hide within the confines of the six protective plates whenever it feels threatened. This is a very important characteristic of the barnacle because it has no eyesight and relies entirely on its senses to survive. Although the Semibalanus balanoides have the ability to live in deeper waters such as the subtidal zone, they are generally found in the intertidal zone because they are heavily preyed upon in deeper waters. In addition, the

More about Semibalanus Balanoides, Arthropoda

Open Document