Abstract
Cirripedes are fascinating models for studying both functional constraints and diversity in larval
development. Adult cirripedes display an amazing variation in morphology from sessile suspension
feeders that still retain many crustacean characters to parasites that have lost virtually all arthropod
traits. In contrast, cirripede larval development follows a common scheme with pelagic larvae
comprising a series of nauplii followed by a cyprid. Variations are mostly concerned with whether
or not the nauplii are feeding and the degree of abbreviation of development, culminating in species
where the larvae hatch as cyprids. The cypris larvae are very similar among the ingroups of the
Cirripedia, but interesting variations occur in structures used for substrate location and attachment.
The cyprid is specialized to both swim through the water and actively explore the substratum by
walking on the antennules and using an array of sensory organs in search for a suitable site to
attach. This unique morphology and behavior of the cyprid have enabled the Cirripedia to colonize
widely different habitats ranging from hard rock to soft animal tissue. Yet, the cyprid can
metamorphose into juveniles as different as a setose feeding barnacle and the vermiform stages of
the parasitic forms. This emphasizes the importance of the cyprid as one of the key features for the
evolutionary success of the Cirripedia.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Invertebrate Reproduction and Development |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 125-142 |
| ISSN | 0792-4259 |
| Publication status | Published - 2006 |