morphological characteristics

查看源图像 Barnacle, shell conical, shell mouth edge due to the top of the shell plate significantly raised and jagged; smooth surface, no longitudinal ribs; shell mouth slightly pentagonal. Barnacles are small, grayish-white animals with calcareous shells that are attached to nearshore reefs and resemble horse teeth, also known as "horse teeth".
Barnacles are widely distributed, and can be found in shallow waters from intertidal to subtidal areas in almost any sea area, and they are numerous and often live together in dense numbers. The larval stage of the barnacle undergoes a series of metamorphosis: planktonic, unsegmented larvae, glandular larvae, and no feeding is required, and this stage is simply to choose a suitable place to attach and change. Some barnacles prefer to attach to the bottom of ships, reefs, and other hard surfaces, and some even attach to whales and sea turtles. Barnacles are hermaphroditic, but heterologous fertilization, during reproduction, must rely on the ability to stretch the thin tube, the sperm to other barnacles to fertilization, after 3-4 months of incubation, the newly hatched hatchlings will be separated from the mother. The lifespan of barnacles is related to the tidal zone. In the intertidal zone of the Isle of Man, half-cold barnacles living in the lower part of the island die in their third year, while individuals living in the higher tidal zone can live for 5-6 years.
Both the flesh and shell of the barnacle are used as medicine. The husk has the effect of suppressing acidity and relieving pain; the flesh has the effect of detoxifying and healing sores. It is mainly used to treat stomach pain, excess stomach acid, burns from water and fire, pediatric head boils, boils and poisons. After each molt, the barnacle secretes a ring of sticky barnacle primordial gel, which contains a variety of biochemical components and extremely strong adhesion. The barnacle is also regarded as a treasure, its meat is tender, sweet, known as "seafood from hell!

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