Briarosaccus auratum
(Parasitic Barnacle)
© Aaron Baldwin (Photo ID #90312)
Photographer's Submitted Details
Photo Location
Endicott Arm, Alaska
Photographer
Aaron Baldwin
Habitat
Inside Lithodes aequispinus king crabs
Photo Date
February 22, 2016
Upload Date
February 22, 2016
Elevation (m)
Latitude
Longitude
Photo ID #
90312
Comments
This is the embryo-containing sack of the bizarre parasitic barnacle Briarosaccus. The actual barnacle is a fine branching root-like structure that fills the body of the crab and infiltrates every organ system. When the larvae are mature they will leave the externae to go infect new crabs. The infection is permanent. Prior to infection, this crab was a male. The barnacle absorbs the testes and secretes hormones that makes the crab develop female characteristics. Formerly Briarosaccus callosus.