Barnacle orientation and water flow characteristics in California Grey whales

Abstract

Studies were made on barnacle orientations with reference to water flow seen on Grey whales taken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in March, 1969. Water flow patterns were derived by laying cord transects along lines of barnacle orientation. Statistical evaluation of directional consistency within barnacle colonies revealed that 95% of the individuals were within 14° of a mean direction. Flow patterns were generally parallel to the long axis of the whales with modification in the areas of anterior rostrum, lips, throat, and flippers. No data were available concerning water flow on the flukes.

A checklist of turtle and whale barnacles (Cirripedia: Thoracica: Coronuloidea)

“…Achituv, 1998: 1204; Briggs & Morejohn, 1972: 287; Clarke, 1966: 157; Cornwall, 1955a: 49; 1955b: 44; Dall, 1872: 300; Fertl & Newman, 2009: 90; Ford & Reeves, 2008: 64; Frick et al, 2011: 637; Genzer & Marmur, 2008: 745; Geraci & Aubin, 1987: 407; Grutter, 2002: 71; Gruvel, 1903: 153; 1905a: 274; Hayashi, 2012: 110; Hiro, 1935: 227; 1936a: 62; 1936b: 318; Hoek, 1883: 7; Jones et al, 1984: 34; Kasuya & Rice, 1970: 42; Killingley, 1980: 759; Kolosváry, 1943: 101; Korschelt, 1933: 21; Maldini et al, 2010: 460; Monroe, 1981: 241; Moss & Erlandson, 2010: 3367; Pasternak et al, 2002: 583; Pilsbry, 1916: 279; Rice & Wolman, 1971: 100; Rice, 1963: 186; Ridgway et al, 1997: 377; Roest, 1970: 411; Ross & Frick, 2011: 64; Samaras, 1989: 85; Samaras & Durham, 1985: 113; Scammon, 1874: 22; Scarff, 1986: 130; Seilacher, 2005: 33; Sokolov & Arsen'ev, 2006: 56; Swartz, 1981: 360; Swartz et al, 2006: 78; Takeda & Ogino, 2005: 151; Tarasov & Zevina, 1957: 246; Tomilin, 1957: 323; Visscher, 1928: 328; Walker, 1983: 433; Weller et al, 1999: 1213; Wellington & Anderson, 1978: 292; Weltner, 1897: 278; Zullo, 1961: 13; 1969: 17.…”

Epibiotic Fauna on Cetaceans Worldwide: A Systematic Review of Records and Indicator Potential

“…1970; Briggs and Morejohn, 1972;Fish and Battle, 1995;Carrillo et al, 2015;Moreno-Colom et al, 2020), assist in individual recognition (e.g., Visser et al, 2020); and act as sentinels of health status (Mackintosh and Wheeler, 1929;Van Waerebeek et al, 1993;Aznar et al, 1994;Aznar et al, 2005;Lehnert et al, 2007;Vecchione and Aznar, 2014;Lehnert et al, 2021; for more references see Results). Nonetheless, there is plently of further opportunities to exploit the full potential of these organisms as biological indicators.…”

Using barnacle and pigmentation characteristics to identify gray whale calves on their feeding grounds

“…However, note that some calves may not have yet acquired barnacle scars. The head and postcranial region are specified for these attributes, since barnacles (and eventually scarring) are always present in these areas (Rice and Wolman 1971, Briggs and Morejohn 1972, Samaras and Durham 1985), but may be absent from other parts of the body (see below).…”

“…Gray whale calves are born free of these parasites (Tomilin 1957), but rapidly acquire cyamids while nursing and barnacles through contact with planktonic larvae, which are apparently released during gray whale breeding aggregations (Rice and Wolman 1971) and in the early stages of the northbound migration (Ridgway et al 1997). While barnacles can occur almost anywhere on a gray whale, they are most prevalent on the top of the head and dorsal aspect of the postcranial region, as these areas presumably provide the sessile barnacles the most direct access to nutrient-rich water flow (Kasuya and Rice 1970, Rice and Wolman 1971, Briggs and Morejohn 1972, Samaras and Durham 1985. Recently attached barnacles can be distinguished from those of the previous year(s) based on differences in diameter (Rice and Wolman 1971), but variations in growth patterns and development suggest that young barnacles can also be discerned from mature barnacles on the basis of their appearance.…”

“…1997). While barnacles can occur almost anywhere on a gray whale, they are most prevalent on the top of the head and dorsal aspect of the postcranial region, as these areas presumably provide the sessile barnacles the most direct access to nutrient‐rich water flow (Kasuya and Rice 1970, Rice and Wolman 1971, Briggs and Morejohn 1972, Samaras and Durham 1985). Recently attached barnacles can be distinguished from those of the previous year(s) based on differences in diameter (Rice and Wolman 1971), but variations in growth patterns and development suggest that young barnacles can also be discerned from mature barnacles on the basis of their appearance.…”