Volcano (or Thatched) Barnacle

Volcano (or Thatched) Barnacles (Tetraclita rubescens)

Contributed by TPERP Tracey Jones

Volcano Barnacle

Size: 2 inches.

Diet: filter feeds on plankton (very small plants and animals that float in the water) with hand-like projections called cirri.

Predators: snails and sea stars.

Defense: seals itself inside it’s volcano-shaped home.

Fun Fact: the adults are pink to red in color but the juveniles are white.

Classification:
Phylum:Arthropoda (Firm, jointed exoskeleton and jointed appendages)
Class:Crustacea (Barnacles, Beach hoppers, Shrimps, Lobsters, Crabs, etc.)
SubClass:Cirripedia (Barnacles)
Order:Sessilia
Suborder:Balanomorpha
Family:Tetraclitidae

Scientific name:Tetraclita rubescens

Sources:

  1. Seashore of Southern California

a LonePine Field Guide by Ian Sheldon

  1. Life Between the tides

The Natural History of the Common Seashore Life of Southern California

by Jeffrey L. Brandon and Frank J. Rokop

  1. Wikipedia

Volcano Barnacle

Last revised 29-Jul-13