Distinguishing Characteristics |
Shell conical, made of 6 triangular plates (parietes) fused together with walls (radii) between plates; walls (radii) narrow with oblique outer edge; plates are whitish with irregularly spaced vertical dark, reddish purple or brown stripes; no horizontal striations; base plate is calcareous, usually stays on hard substrate when barnacle is removed; side plates (parietes) somewhat smooth but may have shallow vertical ridges; aperture is basically diamond-shaped but flat or rounded at 1 end; internal plate tergum with spur (rounded extension) about as wide as long. |
Similar Species |
There are several purplish stripe barnacles in our area. Similar to the reticulated striped barnacle, B. reticulatus, but the reticulated striped barnacle has slight horizontal grooves giving it a reticulated pattern. It also has a longer tergal spur (longer than wide). The purple striped barnacle, B. trigonus is distinguished by its triangular opening. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay, attaches to hard substrates |
Maximum Size |
2 cm (3/4 in) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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