Barnacles
on Crabs
Barnacles like
Balanus (Family Balanidae) commonly grow on the shells of crabs
(here the flower crab, Portunus pelagicus),
but are quite harmless, and are lost when the crab moults.
Stalked barnacles, mainly of the genus Octolasmis (Family Lepidae)
also appear to favour animal hosts, and often grow on the shells and
gills of crabs, as well as skins of sea snakes. Octolasmis
is not strictly a.parasite since they only use the gills as a base,
and take advantage of the respiratory currents to bring in planktonic
food (they are also filter feeders). They are lost each time the host
moults. |
Barnacles on Portunus
Octolasmis on gills of Scylla |
