Catophragmus

Catophragmus is the originally named genus of the family Catophragmidae. At present, it is monotypical. It is a shallow water acorn barnacle of the Tropical Western Atlantic and Caribbean characterized by small accessory imbricating plates surrounding the base of the shell wall.

Catophragmus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Crustacea
Class:
Hexanauplia
Infraclass:
Cirripedia
Order:
Sessilia
Suborder:
Balanomorpha
Superfamily:
Chthamaloidea
Family:
Catophragmidae
Subfamily:
Catophragminae
Genus:
Catophragmus

Sowerby, 1826[1]:326
Type species
C. imbricatus Sowerby, 1826

Diagnosis and discussion

The shell wall of Catophragmus has eight free plates, with no fusion, and all entering the sheath. In contrast to Catolasmus, the other Northern Hemisphere catophragmid genus, imbricating plates extend only partway up the primary shell wall, and have usually four whorls, as opposed to 10. Many specimens have been recovered with few or no accessory plates remaining.[2] 491 As the imbricating whorls are small and apparently deciduous, this is explained as a result of grazing gastropods.[3]:79

The basis is calcareous, thin, and solid. Where it attaches to the shell wall, there are cavities matching small teeth on the basal edge of the wall plates.[2] 491

The scutum differs from that of Catolasmus in showing a well defined lateral depressor muscle pit. The labrum bears teeth and bristles, unlike in Catolasmus.[3]:78

There has been some confusion as to the exact date of Sowerby's publication. Both 1826 and 1827 can be found in different publications. This problem was addressed by Sykes, 1906,[4] and he concluded 1826 was the correct date. Sykes is followed here, and by this editor.

Nomenclature
  • Type species: Catophragmus imbricatus Sowerby, 1826
    • Fixation: monotypy, by Sowerby, 1826
  • Type locality: Antigua, Leeward Islands, (17°09′N 61°49′W),[3]:78 attached to shell of Tetraclita porosa[2]:490
  • Types: two specimens in British Museum[2]:490

Habitat and Geographic range

Catophragmus imbricatus inhabits the lower littoral zone throughout the Western Atlantic (Bermuda) and West Indies.[5]:61 Although originally found on Antigua,[2]:490 it was not present there in 1998.[3]:79 Ross and Newman also reported occurrences in Cuba, Cozumel, and Islota Aves. These populations show sufficient differences in morphology to possibly belong to 2 or more species.[3]:81

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References
  1. Sowerby, G. B. (1826). The genera of recent and fossil shells, for the use of students in Conchology and Geology, with original Plates. London.
  2. Darwin, Charles (1854). A monograph on the sub-class Cirripedia with figures of all species. The Balanidae, the Verrucidae, etc. London: Ray Society. pp. 1–684.
  3. Ross, A.; W. A. Newman (2001). "The Catophragmidae: members of the basal balanomprph radiation". Sessile Organisms. 18 (2): 77–91.
  4. Sykes, E. R. (1907). "On the dates of publication of Sowerby's "Mineral Conchology" and "Genera of Recent and Fossil Shells"". Proc. Malacol. Soc. London. 7: 191–194.
  5. Poltarukha, O. P. (2006). Identification Atlas of Superfamily Chthamaloidea (Cirripedia Thoracica) barnacles in World Ocean. Moscow: KMK Scientific Press, Ltd. pp. 198 [In Russian]. ISBN 5-87317-278-1.

Data related to Catophragmus at Wikispecies

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