Goose
barnacle
Lepas sp.*
Family Lepadidae
updated Mar 2020
Where
seen? Ocassionally,
you might come across this stalked barnacle growing on objects that
used to float in the open sea, such as large logs washed ashore. Goose
barnacles usually die once they are stranded on the beach.
Features: To about 2cm across.
The outer shell is clam-like made up of five thin white plates. The
opening may be red, orange or bright yellow. A leathery stalk attaches
the animal to a hard surface. Unlike the more commonly seen shore
barnacles, goose barnacles don't have an operculum to close the opening
in their shells. Like other barnacles, feeds with its feathery feet.
Some species of Goose barnacles can grow very large, with shells 5cm
long and a stalk 20cm long! |
Sisters Island, Jul 04
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Leathery stalk attaches the clam-like
shell to a hard surface.
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No operculum to seal the shell opening.
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*Species
are difficult to positively identify without examination of internal parts.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of
display.
Goose
barnacles on Singapore shores |
References
- Lim, S.,
P. Ng, L. Tan, & W. Y. Chin, 1994. Rhythm of the Sea: The Life
and Times of Labrador Beach. Division of Biology, School of
Science, Nanyang Technological University & Department of Zoology,
the National University of Singapore. 160 pp.
- Debelius,
Helmut, 2001. Crustacea
Guide of the World: Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean
IKAN-Unterwasserachiv, Frankfurt. 321 pp.
- Jones Diana
S. and Gary J. Morgan, 2002. A Field Guide to Crustaceans of
Australian Waters. Reed New Holland. 224 pp.
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