Calcareous plates in barnacles of the superorder acrothoracica, morphology and functions, homology with calcareous plates of barnacles of the superorder thoracica (Thecostraca, Cirripedia)

摘要

Calcareous plates have been found in shallow-water species Lithoglyptes mitis and L. habei. These plates are similar in morphology to those described for deep-water lithoglyptids. The plates are located near the attachment disc and are covered with athin membrane-like cuticle with tiny cuticular papilla-like structures. These structures probably secrete a special cement for animal attachment to a host. The homology of the calcareous plates and the attachment disc in acrothoracicans and thoracicansis discussed. The calcareous plates and the attachment disc of acrothoracicans are homologous with the basal area of thoracicans.