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Sensory structures in the opercula of the barnacle Elminius modestus

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Abstract

The opening and closing responses of balanomorph barnacles suggest that the barnacle can test the properties of the surrounding medium without placing its mantle cavity in communication with the medium. An investigation of the structure of the mantle tissues at the occludent edges of the opercular valves of Elminius modestus Darwin has revealed a collar of membraneous cuticle which carries a linear arrangement of sensory structures. These receptors are continued into cuticular hairs that project freely towards the medium between the edges of the valves, and their structure is similar to other arthropod sense organs which are considered to have a chemosensory function.

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Communicated by J. E. Smith, Plymouth

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Foster, B.A., Nott, J.A. Sensory structures in the opercula of the barnacle Elminius modestus . Marine Biology 4, 340–344 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350363

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350363

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