In the often-overlooked world of marine life, a tiny crustacean has evolved an astonishingly resilient bond with its host. Meet the barnacle, a master of adaptation that’s been hitching rides on ships and whales for millions of years.
The Amazing Lives of Barnacles
Ever notice those little crusty clumps stuck to rocks, boat hulls or even whales? Those are barnacles, and while they might not look like much, they’re marvels of the natural world.
Barnacles are marine crustaceans that attach themselves to underwater surfaces using a strong, glue-like substance called cement.
They have a unique, sessile lifestyle, feeding on plankton and small organisms filtered from the water.
With over 800 species worldwide, barnacles come in various shapes, sizes, and colors.
Some species can grow up to 30 cm in length, while others remain tiny.
Barnacles play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, serving as food sources for fish, birds, and other animals.
A Marvel of Adaptation
Barnacles are tiny creatures that have evolved some wild adaptations for life in the intertidal zone. They attach to a surface once and stay put for life. Most barnacles start life as larvae drifting in the ocean before transforming into juvenile barnacles and settling down on a hard surface.
Living and Feeding
Adult barnacles encase themselves in six calcium plates that form a protective shell. When the tide comes in, the barnacle opens up, extending its feathery appendages – called cirri – to sweep plankton and detritus from the water. These thoracic limbs act like tiny combs or fans, making barnacles efficient filter feeders.
When the tide goes out, the barnacle closes its shell tight to conserve moisture and avoid predators. It’s a low-key but effective strategy for surviving in a zone where drying out is just as dangerous as being eaten.
The Weird Barnacle Life Cycle
The barnacle life cycle includes two larval stages: the nauplius and the cyprid. After fertilized eggs hatch, the nauplius larvae go through six molts before becoming cyprid larvae. The cyprid doesn’t eat; its job is to find a perfect surface – rocks, pilings, even ships or whales – to call home. Once it finds a spot, it uses special cement glands to permanently glue itself in place.
Barnacles attach to surfaces using a unique combination of physical and biological mechanisms.
They secrete a strong cement-like substance called 'cement' that hardens into a rigid bond, holding them in place.
This attachment is further reinforced by specialized feet called cirri, which dig deep into the surface, creating an anchor point for the barnacle's body.
The cement and cirri work together to create a secure hold that can withstand strong currents and water pressure.
Troublesome Barnacles
While barnacles are cool, they can also be a nuisance. Their habit of attaching to ships causes biofouling, which increases drag and fuel consumption. More fuel means higher costs for shipping and more emissions. That’s why antifouling paints and coatings are big business in the marine industry.
Some motorists have even mistaken clusters of barnacles for damage on their hulls – a salty surprise if there ever was one. Even whale skin can become a habitat, turning one barnacle into a globe-trotting hitchhiker.
Barnacle Appetite
Despite their hard exterior, barnacles aren’t invincible. Other sea life – including some species of snails, crabs, and even fish – can pry open or scrape off barnacles to get to the soft body inside.
Barnacles are a delicacy in some parts of the world. And way back in the day, people believed geese hatched from barnacles (a misconception that came from seeing goose barnacles on driftwood).
Barnacles are marine crustaceans that feed on various sources.
Their diet primarily consists of plankton, algae, and small invertebrates like bristle worms and mollusks.
They also consume detritus, including dead plant and animal matter.
Barnacles have been known to attach themselves to other organisms, such as fish and whales, to feed on their skin or mucus.
This unique feeding behavior allows barnacles to thrive in diverse marine environments.
- howstuffworks.com | A Barnacle Attaches for Life (Yes, Theyre Living Crustaceans)
