Exploring Sponge-Inhabiting Barnacles of Eastern Indonesia Using Micro-Ct Scanning

Abstract

We present a morphological study of Indonesian sponge-inhabiting barnacles using standard light microscopy in combination with micro-CT scanning and computer-aided 3D-reconstruction of the external shell morphology. A taxonomic analysis of the material detected four different genera of sponges inhabited by five different species of balanomorph barnacles, two of which are undescribed. Together with conventional morphological examination by dissection, we provide modern non-destructive imaging methods, using micro-CT scanning to enhance our knowledge of the morphological characters of sponge-inhabiting barnacles from eastern Indonesia. Although there were some methodological limitations regarding the contrast-enhancing technique, this study demonstrates micro-CT as a useful non-destructive technique of integrative taxonomy, for the examination of sponge-inhabiting barnacles.

New Species and New Records of Sponge-Inhabiting Barnacles (Cirripedia, Balanidae, Acastinae) from Australia

“…The type series also lacks any trace of the host and the accounts by Hiro [7,69], only mention that it was found in association with A. sulcata [57]. This latter species has now been recorded from three orders of sponge: Haplosclerida, Poecilosclerida, and Dictyoceratida [3,5,19]. The present specimens were all collected in species of Agelas (order Agelasida), the same host genus as P. sculpturata, albeit morphologically different species.…”

“…Not only have the evolutionary relationships of the hosts begun to be looked at, but also the morphology of the host has been examined to test larval barnacle biology [17]. Integrating modern techniques such as genetic sequencing and computed tomography [18,19] has also provided greater precision when evaluating inter-and intra-specific variation by shedding light on character evolution.…”