| Oxynaspis gracilis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Thecostraca |
| Subclass: | Cirripedia |
| Order: | Scalpellomorpha |
| Family: | Poecilasmatidae |
| Genus: | Oxynaspis |
| Species: | O. gracilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Oxynaspis gracilis | |
Oxynaspis gracilis is a species of goose barnacle in the family Oxynaspididae, commonly known as the black coral barnacle [2] because it is normally found attached to black coral. The type specimen was found in Réunion in the East Indies. [1]
Description
Oxynaspis gracilis is a small stalked barnacle some 2 to 5 mm (0.1 to 0.2 in) in length. The coenosarc (living tissue) of the host coral sometimes grows over the surface of the barnacle. [2] The scutum and carina are separate and the square base of the scutum has the umbo in the middle and set close to the occluded edge. [3]
Ecology
Observations of a number of these barnacles growing on the black coral Antipathes atlantica and all orienting themselves in one direction against the water current, with their cirri forming a cup-like shape, indicate that the barnacles were actively engaged in intercepting and feeding on plankton. [4] The living tissue of black corals such as Plumapathes pennacea may grow over the surface of this barnacle. [2]
Black corals are mostly deep water animals; specimens (including fan-shaped and bottlebrush-shaped species) from the Gulf of Mexico, collected and recorded with remotely operated vehicles at depths ranging from 68 to 124 m (223 to 407 ft), revealed O. gracilis growing on six different species. Other animals sharing the black coral habitat included squat lobsters ( Uroptychus sp.), shrimps, and the winged oyster Pteria colymbus. [2]
References
- ^ a b Totton, A.K. (1940). "L.—New Species of the Cirripede Genus Oxynaspis, commensal with Antipatharia". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 11. 6 (36): 465–486, 472. doi: 10.1080/03745481.1940.9723704.
- ^ a b c d Wicksten, Mary K.; Nuttall, Marissa F.; Hickerson, Emma L. (2014). "Crustaceans from antipatharians on banks of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico". ZooKeys (457): 45–54. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.457.6280. PMC 4283364. PMID 25561830.
- ^ Barnacles (Cirripedia, Thoracica) of seas off Réunion Island. Foster, Brian A.; Buckeridge, John S.
- ^ Southward, Alan J. (1987). Barnacle Biology. CRC Press. p. 135. ISBN 978-90-6191-628-4.
| Oxynaspis gracilis | |
|---|---|
|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Thecostraca |
| Subclass: | Cirripedia |
| Order: | Scalpellomorpha |
| Family: | Poecilasmatidae |
| Genus: | Oxynaspis |
| Species: | O. gracilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Oxynaspis gracilis | |
Oxynaspis gracilis is a species of goose barnacle in the family Oxynaspididae, commonly known as the black coral barnacle [2] because it is normally found attached to black coral. The type specimen was found in Réunion in the East Indies. [1]
Description
Oxynaspis gracilis is a small stalked barnacle some 2 to 5 mm (0.1 to 0.2 in) in length. The coenosarc (living tissue) of the host coral sometimes grows over the surface of the barnacle. [2] The scutum and carina are separate and the square base of the scutum has the umbo in the middle and set close to the occluded edge. [3]
Ecology
Observations of a number of these barnacles growing on the black coral Antipathes atlantica and all orienting themselves in one direction against the water current, with their cirri forming a cup-like shape, indicate that the barnacles were actively engaged in intercepting and feeding on plankton. [4] The living tissue of black corals such as Plumapathes pennacea may grow over the surface of this barnacle. [2]
Black corals are mostly deep water animals; specimens (including fan-shaped and bottlebrush-shaped species) from the Gulf of Mexico, collected and recorded with remotely operated vehicles at depths ranging from 68 to 124 m (223 to 407 ft), revealed O. gracilis growing on six different species. Other animals sharing the black coral habitat included squat lobsters ( Uroptychus sp.), shrimps, and the winged oyster Pteria colymbus. [2]
References
- ^ a b Totton, A.K. (1940). "L.—New Species of the Cirripede Genus Oxynaspis, commensal with Antipatharia". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 11. 6 (36): 465–486, 472. doi: 10.1080/03745481.1940.9723704.
- ^ a b c d Wicksten, Mary K.; Nuttall, Marissa F.; Hickerson, Emma L. (2014). "Crustaceans from antipatharians on banks of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico". ZooKeys (457): 45–54. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.457.6280. PMC 4283364. PMID 25561830.
- ^ Barnacles (Cirripedia, Thoracica) of seas off Réunion Island. Foster, Brian A.; Buckeridge, John S.
- ^ Southward, Alan J. (1987). Barnacle Biology. CRC Press. p. 135. ISBN 978-90-6191-628-4.