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In the depths of the sea, there is a mysterious and surprising world that hides many unexplored mysteries. However, in this vast blue realm, there is a seemingly small but threatening "hermitter" that calls whales and turtles home, triggering an incredible interaction between tiny creatures and giant life.
Dense fear
When you approach the rocks by the sea or the ships moored in the harbor, if you have a phobia of denseness, you may avoid places overgrown with strange creatures. These creatures are barnacles.
They resemble a group of miniature volcanoes, arranged in the shape of small white cones, close to each other.
Barnacles are special arthropods in the ocean, and are distantly related to shrimp, crabs, and horseshoe crabs. In their juvenile years, they can swim freely in the seawater.
But when they reach adulthood, they choose to be anchored somewhere with a strong glue, using their feathery cranberry feet to catch plankton. Their shells are made of multiple calcareous shell plates, which protect their soft bodies from damage.
The shell of a barnacle is fitted with a pair of movable dorsal and canopy plates that can be opened or closed to allow the vine foot to extend or retract. They perceive their surroundings primarily through their sense of touch and use their man-footed to perceive by touch.
In addition, they have some simple eyes that can sense changes in light. When the surroundings are darkened, they pause foraging and retract their cranhopods into their shells.
Barnacles date back to the Middle Cambrian period about 500 million years ago and are one of the oldest organisms on Earth. They are divided into about 1220 species and belong to three distinct orders: Certachythora, Pedigre, and Perithorax.
- Barnacles of the Pointed Chest are the most primitive, and their shells are small, only a few millimeters in size. These little ones will burrow into the shells of other creatures or form small holes in the rocks and live a low-key life.
- Barnacles of the order Rhizocephalic are the most special group, and they are parasites. The larvae of these guys live in the bodies of crustaceans such as crabs, absorbing nutrients from the host through their roots. Adults have completely lost their shells and vine feet, leaving only a sac-like reproductive organ, and their lifestyle can be described as unique.
- Barnacles are the most common type of bib. Their shells are relatively large, ranging in size from a few centimeters to tens of centimeters. This type of barnacle can be divided into two main categories: sessile and sessile.
Stemmed barnacles possess a long, muscular stalk that can be attached to the base. Their shells resemble inflorescences, and some varieties are even considered delicious seafood by humans, such as gooseneck barnacles.
Sessile barnacles are attached directly to the substrate, and their shell mouths are conical. The most common of these barnacles, such as reticulated barnacles and barnacles, can be found in a variety of marine environments.
Why parasitism
Barnacles, these marine arthropods, live on food and oxygen brought by currents. Their larvae float freely in the seawater, looking for an ideal place to settle. Typically, barnacles choose hard, rough, moderately current places such as rocks, wood, or the hull of a boat.
But there are some drawbacks to these options, such as being easy prey for other animals, or being washed away by the sea. As a result, barnacles look for special substrates, such as large marine animals such as whales or turtles.
There are a lot of advantages to these behemoths.
- Plenty of space and nutrients
There are many places on the body of a whale or turtle where barnacles can attach, such as dorsal fin, caudal fin, abdomen, etc. The skin or shell of these areas contains substances such as salts, fats, and oils that provide some of the nutrients needed by barnacles.
- Stable water flow and temperature
The water flow on a whale or turtle is stable, bringing food and oxygen to the barnacles. In addition, their body temperature is relatively constant, providing a comfortable living environment for barnacles.
- Protection and concealment.
Whales or sea turtles have thicker skin or shells that protect barnacles from predation or injury by other animals. Barnacles may resemble the body of a whale or turtle in color and shape, providing some concealment and reducing the risk of detection.
How to parasitize
Barnacle larvae swim in the sea, trying to find a suitable place to settle. They rely on simple sensory organs, such as eyes and tentacles, to sense signals such as light, temperature, salinity, chemicals, and more.
When they spot a whale or turtle, they are attracted by the host's temperature, body fluids, and smell, and they swim towards the host.
The larvae look for suitable locations, such as dorsal fin, caudal fin, or abdomen, and then glue themselves to the host's skin or shell with strong glue.
This glue is a protein secreted by the head of a barnacle that can quickly solidify in the water, forming a strong structure that holds the barnacle and its host together. This glue is extremely sticky and resists seawater washout and host struggles, ensuring that the barnacles are firmly attached to the host.
Once attached to the host, the larvae begin to mature. They grow calcareous shells that protect their bodies. The shell is made up of multiple plates that can be opened or closed, allowing the barnacle's vine feet to stick out or retract. Cranberry feet are feathery structures that sway in the currents of water, trapping food and oxygen.
At the same time, their reproductive organs are well developed and ready for reproduction. Barnacles are hermaphroditic and can reproduce themselves or mate with nearby barnacles to produce a large number of offspring.
This amazing journey of life cycle unfolds on the host, providing a safe habitat and reproduction for these little creatures.
impact
Barnacle parasitism, although it does not directly prey on whales or turtles, can cause some negative effects on the host. Parasitism can increase the weight of whales or turtles, affecting their swimming ability and agility.
It is estimated that a humpback whale may have about 450 kilograms of barnacles on its body, which is equivalent to the weight of an adult. This extra load will cause them to expend more energy and slow down their swimming speed. The shell of barnacles also increases the friction on the surface of the host's body, increases swimming resistance, and reduces swimming efficiency.
Barnacle parasites occupy the surface of the host's skin, causing discomfort and irritation. Some barnacles may have sharp edges and corners that may scratch the host's skin, leading to infection and inflammation. Others may burrow into the host's shell, disrupting structure and function.
This parasitism may interfere with the normal behavior of whales or turtles, such as foraging, migrating, mating, etc. The weight and position of barnacles can affect the host's balance and agility, causing difficulties when finding food or escaping predators. Overall, this parasitic relationship has a certain adverse effect on the life of the host.
Parasitic benefits
Barnacle parasitism, although it may have some adverse effects on whales or turtles, may also have some benefits. For example, barnacle parasitism may destroy some other organisms attached to whales or turtles, such as seaweed, sea lice or leeches.
These creatures can sometimes cause more damage to their hosts, or affect their appearance and health. Barnacles' "scavenger" function may make the skin or shell of a whale or turtle cleaner and smoother.
Barnacle parasitism may also form some special patterns and colors on the host, making the whale or turtle more recognizable by peers or researchers.
These patterns and colors may also reflect information such as the age, sex, population, or Xi of a whale or turtle, which can help understand their ecology and behavior.
Barnacle parasitism demonstrates the interdependence and interaction of organisms, as well as the complexity and diversity of marine ecosystems.
The symbiosis of barnacles with whales or sea turtles may promote the emergence and development of some other organisms, forming a unique biome. This symbiotic relationship has the potential to have an impact on the entire marine ecosystem, promoting biodiversity and stability.
epilogue
Barnacles coexist with whales and turtles, and perhaps have a more subtle impact on their surroundings. This subtle but intriguing interrelationship may provide clues to our understanding of how marine ecosystems work, as well as the intricate interactions between organisms.
As a result, barnacles are a nightmare for whales and turtles, but they are also an indispensable part of this colourful marine world. This little creature, with its underrated existence, adds a mysterious and wonderful chapter to the life chain of the ocean.
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