Balanus nubilus explained

Balanus nubilus, commonly called the giant acorn barnacle, is the world's largest barnacle, reaching a diameter of and a height of up to,[1] and containing the largest known muscle fibres.[2]

Balanus nubilus is a northeast Pacific species that ranges from southern Alaska to Baja California.[3] It is frequently found growing on rocks, pier pilings and hard-shelled animals at depths of up to .[4] Like other acorn barnacles, B. nubilus is a filter feeder; it, in turn, is sometimes eaten by sea otters,[5] sea stars, crabs[6] and the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest.[7] Abandoned shells of B. nubilus are used by the crab Glebocarcinus oregonensis for shelter.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: View from on top: mine's bigger than yours! . Richard . Martin . 1997 . WaveLength Magazine . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171454/http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com/1997/fm97view.html . March 3, 2016 . dead . April 18, 2018.
  2. . 1963 . 139 . 3549 . 49–50 . 10.1126/science.139.3549.49 . Giant muscle fibers in a barnacle, Balanus nubilus Darwin . Graham Hoyle & Thomas Smyth Jr. . 17752025. 11926059 .
  3. Web site: Cowles, D. . 2006 . Balanus nubilus Darwin, 1854 . Walla Walla University . 12 October 2018 .
  4. Web site: Balanus nubilus . The Race Rocks taxonomy . . December 31, 2009 . December 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100816092559/http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/eco/taxalab/bio2002/balanusn.htm . August 16, 2010 . dead .
  5. Web site: Phylum Arthropoda, Subph. Crustacea: Subtidal Barnacles, Crabs, Shrimp, & Kin . SeaNet: Common Marine Organisms of Monterey Bay, California . James M. Watanabe . October 10, 2009 . December 31, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171102181051/http://seanet.stanford.edu/Crustacea/index.html . November 2, 2017 . dead .
  6. Web site: Giant acorn barnacle Balanus nubilus . Tour Puget Sound habitats and marine life . David W. Jamison . December 31, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100611084033/http://www.pugetsoundsealife.com/habitats+sealife/Giant_Acorn_Barnacle.html . June 11, 2010 . dead .
  7. Encyclopedia: Facts about Balanus nubilus: edibility, as discussed in cirripede (crustacean): Importance to humans . . December 31, 2009.
  8. Web site: Marine Fossils and their Living Relatives . . December 31, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100211145027/http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/paleontology/marine/crabs.php . 11 February 2010 . dead .

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