Abstract
We report new distribution and host records of the turtle barnacle Stephanolepas muricata Fischer. Ours is the first study to document this species' occurrence in Mexico and in the Atlantic Ocean (North Carolina, Georgia and Florida: USA). We also present the first record of S. muricata from olive ridley sea turtles, Lepidochelys olivacea (Eschscholtz). We discuss the physical and ecological characteristics associated with the specimens collected and present evidence suggesting the likelihood of chemical mediation between embedding coronuloid barnacles like S. muricata and host turtles. We provide the first data on the diet and fecundity of S. muricata.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 629-640 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Natural History |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 11-12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Barnacle
- Chemical mediation
- Epibiont
- Sea turtle
- Stephanolepas muricata
- Symbiosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics