Chamaesipho brunnea is an intertidal barnacle common in New Zealand, in both the North Island and the South Island. Juveniles have six shell wall plates, reducing to four in adults, and with age, all plates become concrescent, with no trace of sutures inside or out. Shell is brown colored. The related, and sometimes associated Chamaesipho columna is much smaller in size, by nearly half, while Elminius, which can associate with both species, also has four shell wall plates, but plates remain distinct at all stages. The shell of C. columna corrodes to a pitted surface, while that of C. brunnea has a lamellar corrosion.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Brown Barnacle being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Jehlius cirratus
- Chthamalus stellatus
- Chthamalus dentatus
- Chthamalus montagui
- Chthamalus antennatus
- Chamaesipho columna
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Hexanauplia
- Order
- Balanomorpha
- Family
- Chthamalidae
- Genus
- Chamaesipho
- Species
- Chamaesipho brunnea
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo