Anthopleura elegantissima/ sola
Chthamalus spp./ Balanus glandula
Pollicipes polymerus Sowerby, 1833
(Previously known as Mitella polymerus)
Goose / Leaf barnacle
General Description (from Morris et al. 1980):
Up to 8 cm in length; capitulum covered with more than 5 plates and surrounded by scales; peduncle tough, roughened by inconspicuous calcareous spicules
Habitat and Range (from Morris et al. 1980):
Common, usually in clusters but also mixed with Mytilus californianus; middle intertidal zone on wave-exposed rocky shores; British Columbia south at least to Punta Abreojos (Baja California)
Biology:
Goose barnacles feed on particles of detritus in the backwash of waves (Morris et al. 1980) and for this reason, are found in crevices or areas that channel water back to the ocean (Kozloff 1983). Sexual maturity is believed to be reached at 5 years and goose barnacles are believed to live up to 20 years (Morris et al. 1980). The body temperature of goose barnacles is colder than expected from corresponding ambient temperatures due to evaporation from the peduncle (Morris et al. 1980). They are resistant to desiccation and wave exposure (Raimondi et al. 1999). Pollicipes have been shown to be susceptible to oiling (Foster et al. 1971; Chan 1973). Recovery from disturbance may be slow. Another Pollicipes species is collected for human consumption in European countries (Morris et al. 1980).
References:
Chan GL (1973) A study of the effects of the San Francisco oil spill on marine organisms. In Proceedings of joint conference on prevention and control of oil spills. American Petroleum Institute, Washington, D.C., pp 741-782
Foster MM, Neushul M, Zingmark R (1971) The Santa Barbara oil spill. Part 2. Initial effects on intertidal and kelp bed organisms. Environ Pollut 2:115-134
Kozloff EN (1983) Seashore life of the northern Pacific coast. University of Washington Press, Seattle
Morris RH, Abbott DL, Haderlie EC (1980). Intertidal invertebrates of California. Stanford University Press, Stanford
Raimondi PT, Ambrose RF, Engle JM, Murray SN, Wilson M (1999) Monitoring of rocky intertidal resources along the central and southern California mainland. 3-Year Report for San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Orange Counties (Fall 1995-Spring 1998). OCS Study, MMS 99-0032, U.S. Bureau of Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement, Pacific OCS Region