Culture and morphology of some New Zealand barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia)

Abstract

The larval stages of the acorn barnacles Chamaesipho columna, Chamaesipho brunnea, Elminius plicatus, Elminius modestus, Balanus trigonus, and Tetraclita purpurascens are described from larvae reared in the laboratory. A key and a table are included for separating larval stages and species.

Skeletonema costatum appears to have a wide application as a food in the rearing of larvae of the Balanidae.

The two Chamaesipho species show typical chthamalid characters of hispid antennal setae and unilobed labrum. The similarity between the larvae of Elminius plicatus and Tetraclita purpurascens supports the classification of E. plicatus as a tetraclitid.