Menesiniella aquila is a species of acorn barnacle in the family Balanidae. It is found off the California coast from San Francisco to San Diego from the bottom of the intertidal zone down to depths of 18 m.[1] It is preyed upon by fish, sea stars, and certain carnivorous snails. Fish also rub against the barnacles to clean themselves of parasites, which wears the barnacles shells to a smooth surface.[2]

Menesiniella aquila
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Thecostraca
Subclass: Cirripedia
Order: Balanomorpha
Family: Balanidae
Genus: Menesiniella
Species:
M. aquila
Binomial name
Menesiniella aquila
(Pilsbry, 1907)
Synonyms
  • Balanus aquila

This species was formerly a member of the genus Balanus.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Charles L. Powell, II (1998). The Purisima Formation and related rocks (Upper Miocene – Pliocene), Greater San Francisco Bay Area, Central California: review of literature and USGS collection (now housed at the Museum of Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley) (PDF). United States Geological Survey.
  2. ^ Charles H. Turner, Earl E. Ebert & Robert R. Given (1969). "Balanus aquila Pilsbry, 1907—acorn barnacle". Fish Bulletin 146: Man-Made Reef Ecology. State of California, Department of Fish and Game.
  3. ^ "World Register of Marine Species, Menesiniella aquila". Retrieved 2021-08-23.