Tetraclitella multicostata is a species of barnacle belonging to the family Tetraclitidae. It is a common inhabitant of intertidal and shallow subtidal zones, often found attached to rocks, shells, and other hard substrates.
Description & Characteristics
Tetraclitella multicostata is a small barnacle, typically reaching a maximum size of a few millimeters in diameter. Its shell is typically conical in shape, with a slightly rounded apex. The shell is characterized by numerous, closely spaced ribs that run from the apex to the base of the shell.
Habitat and Occurrence
Tetraclitella multicostata is a widely distributed species, occurring in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This barnacle is found in a variety of marine habitats, including intertidal zones, shallow subtidal zones, and even in some estuarine environments. It is most commonly found on rocky shores, where it attaches to rocks, shells, and other hard substrates. This species prefers hard substrates in both the supralittoral and midlittoral zones of the intertidal, and is also found in shallow subtidal areas.
Taxonomy
Tetraclitella multicostata is classified within the Thecostraca class, belonging to the Balanomorpha order and the Tetraclitidae family.
Feeding
Like other barnacles, Tetraclitella multicostata is a suspension feeder, relying on filtering microscopic organisms from the surrounding water. It extends its cirri, which are feathery appendages, into the water column to capture food particles.
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