In addition to tropical rainforests and forests, there are rich ecosystems on the earth's landThe largest population ecosystem is probably in the ocean
Marine ecosystems.
The fauna of the ocean contains hundreds of thousands of unique creatures and a variety of exotic landscapes. Huge numbers of fish, crustaceans, arthropods occupy most species slots, and in addition to what we commonly know, there is a groupHermit creatures that live in a low-key way
The parasites themselves do not have too strong predatory abilities, they are mainlyRely on the host's nutrients or some kind of parasitic mode to obtain the nutrients needed for survival。One of the most common "parasitic" organisms in the ocean is probably just a fewBarnaclesNow, this kind of arthropod phylum is like a stoneIt can be found almost everywhere in the ocean
A single barnacle is friendly to people with a phobia.
Barnacles are not good-looking, and are generally attached to rock walls or any place where they can survive, and they are obscureThe "low-key" parasite in the ocean。Barnacles have a circular hole in the middle of their body with a shellfish-like slit in the middle, but you would be wrong to think of them as shellfish.
Barnacles belong biologicallySpider subclass in arthropods, closer to crabs, lobster-like creaturesThe body is highly specializedfor easy attachment wherever possible.
Barnacle structure. For barnacles, survival and reproduction is the first priority, and unlike most organisms, ordinary organisms must do soReproduction is accomplished through a combination of sexes or some form of fertilization。But barnacles are different, and every barnacle is an individualHermaphroditism, that means themEach monomer is able to reproduce freely with other barnacles
As shown in Fig. After fertilization, the barnacle eggs remain inside the carapace and then gradually develop into oneAuplii, without a thorax or abdomen, acts as an incipient larvae after the first moultingUse bristles to swim freely in the ocean
The larval stage of the reticulated barnacle is still a little cute?
In the last period of adulthood, the larvae will gradually look for a place to settle down to survive. At this stage, barnacle larvae use their antennae to find potential and suitable surfaces to attach to. It willUses self-released glycoprotein substancesThe larvae will also be assessed according to different attachment surfaces, chemical compositions, relative humidity to:Achieve optimal adhesion strength
However, each larva's energy reserve is limited, and when the larvae use up their energy reserves, the number of options available to them is greatly reduced. That's when they willPermanently settle in the attachment area, andBonded to the object matrix with another protein compound, and finally from the larva ** to adult barnacles, which is what we end up seeing.
When he grew up, he became a scourge.
Barnacles may be strange-looking, but they are extremely capable of surviving. We all know that in the ocean,The forces of waves and tides are very powerful, the coast and rock walls become different forms of scenery under the lapping of the ocean.
A significant number of barnacles are attached to rock piles around rock walls or on the bottom of the seaThey secrete glycoprotein compounds that are a grade stronger than those produced by humans in epoxy resins, which makes them difficult to get rid of.
Barnacles on rocks.
Since barnacles are basically incapacitated,It feeds entirely on its dense tentacles that form a basket-like strainer。Once the water flows through this strainer, the barnacles are readyMicroorganisms and other nutrients in the water are filtered out for food。When there is no water, the barnacle closes the basket and its calcite shell closes, giving it the appearance of stone.
Cross-sectional view of a barnacle.
In addition to attaching to rock walls, stones,Barnacles can also attach to many marine creatures。For example, in large fish, cetaceans, turtles, and other animals, what is better for barnacles than a large "mobile food truck"? We know from the way barnacles attach that this creature has a fairly strong attachment ability, and its ability to survive and reproduce is also top-notchWhales and turtles are often tortured to the point that they are extremely terrifying
If people who regularly document or live on the coast can see these attached sea creatures, in the case of whalesThe most common sites are the abdomen, mouth, and tail, a considerable number of barnacles can be seen.
A closer look at the whale's fins reveals barnacles.
Luckily, barnacles don't consume their host's nutrients like other creatures, they just get one for themselvesAn ocean vehicle that can drive autonomously。In addition, barnacles only have microorganisms as food**, but this does not mean that barnacles have no effect on the host. Whales are large and have large areas of body parts where barnacles can be attached, so ordinary attachment locations are not too much of a problem. If it is attached to the whale's eye or around ***, then it is a big trouble
A close-up view of barnacles. The attachment choice of barnacles is instinctive, and on the other hand, it can also be seen as having no bottom line, as long as it can be in a suitable attachment position, it will not let go. And the barnacles attached to the whale*** will bring a certain degree of threat to the reproduction of the whale. There are records to show thatBarnacle parasitism in a whale can reach up to 500 kilograms
To get rid of these irritating barnacles, like whales or some large fish willThe high-speed swimming brings a current of water that washes the barnacles downThose that accumulate on the side or tail of the body will choose to slap the rocks or go to the boat to remove it. And this is for a creature that can move at high speeds in the ocean, if it is another kind of creature - turtlesTheir fate is much worse
Mr. Turtle slowly.
Even turtles that can swim quickly in the ocean are not fast enough to wash away from the current, and getting barnacles is as troublesome for them as beriberi for humans. Therefore, for the study of barnacles in the ocean, humans have given barnacles their Latin names"Curly Podiatry".The name of the study.
In addition to predation, turtles move relatively slowly in their daily lives, soDuring the larval stage, barnacles can easily attach these turtles to rocks or rock walls。Most of the time barnacles attach to the shell, but some will attach to the feet or head and neck. This is true for turtlesVery serious existential threat
The different stages of barnacle morphology.
Too much barnacle parasitism not only causes the already sluggish turtles to become slower, but also the parasitism of the joints in the retractable position makes them even more slowIt is difficult to retract the shell to avoid the threat of predators
On some coasts, barnacle-strewn turtle carcasses are sometimes found washed ashore. Even whales are no exceptionA large number of barnacles attached to the whale's breathing holes and around its eyes can completely "kill" this creature that is high in the chain of marine life。These severely affected marine animals are covered in dense barnacles that are unbearable to look at. In addition, there are statistics that at least eighty percent of turtles have been attacked by barnacles, and there are relatively few cetaceans, but alsoNearly 40% of them will be used by barnacles as a place to settle down
An unknown victim was interviewed.
A small group of other animals, such as sharks, killer whales and dolphins, are at risk of being parasitized by barnacles, but they are able to move through the ocean at high speeds. The scouring force created by the water can wash away the body at an early stage of barnacle parasitism, so barnacles are much less harmful to these animals.
For some who live by the seaBirdsOn days when fishing is difficult, barnacles attached to the rock wall are oneVery good food**。This will not only help them survive the food crisis, but also maintain the barnacle balance on the surrounding coast.
All things are mutually reinforcing.
Because barnacles are so reproductive, and a dense colony of barnacles will double their reproductive capacity. Barnacles are not only affected by marine life, but also humans
Ships are also attached to barnacles as they travel through the ocean, and they are always on the bottom of the boat. A large number of barnacles can affect the navigation of the boat and can damage some of the material of the boat, especially the wooden fishing boats of fishermen.
Like some large cruise ships and cargo ships, the hazard part is more about the power part of the ship, and it willExacerbate fuel consumption on ships。It is not impossible that the ship will stop operating at sea if the barnacle swarm is not cleared on time. Even if it is a cleaned vessel, due to the strong attachment of barnacles, cleaning alone is not enough, it is necessaryReapply the anti-rust treatment
The crew cleans the bottom of the boat.
The early days of human shipping were largely influenced by the humble creature barnacles, which were arguably a clear threat to the maritime economy. The United States, known as a military empire,Billions of dollars are also spent annually on barnacle cleanup for military maintenanceThis kind of harm is still a great headache.
Barnacle management is now mainly in the prevention phase, with barnacles constantly searching for suitable habitats during the larval stage, and early chemical control is still used from the beginning. As early as 18th-century England, sailors would accumulate barnacles in parts of shipsBrush with a layer of toxic substanceto resist the erosion of marine life.
18th century ships.
However, toxic and harmful paints can seriously affect the survival of marine life, from the 70s to the 80s of the last century, in EuropeOysters' attachment capacity decreases, thus making itThe shellfish industry suffered from economic downturn, in large part due to chemicals such as tributyltin used on ships.
Today's boat care reduces the use of chemicals in protective coatings, and:Added organic coatingThe surface of this type of coating material is very smooth, and it is difficult for barnacles to parasitize on it. Boats generally only need to accelerate to wash away barnacles. And the paint on the diatom siliconAntimicrobial agents and silicone materials such as bipolar alkali pot bottom can inhibit the survival of barnacles。This greatly mitigates the impact of chemical poisoning on marine life.
Sail with peace of mind. In addition, compared with traditional manual cleaning, manual cleaning is slower, and it is necessary to stop the ship for barnacle cleaning, which actually affects the itinerary for ships that have been driving on the sea for a long time. There is another kind of modern cleanupA drone similar to a housekeeping robot, by connecting with the hull, its own power is supplied by the battery it carriesUse a high-pressure water cannon to clean barnacles from boats, just reduce the speed of the boat.
The drone is paired with a high-pressure water cannon.
Barnacles have been around since the Carboniferous period and have survived for hundreds of millions of years today, with little change in their ecology and appearance, which shows that barnacles have been quite successful. Scientists have also found in the study of barnaclesBarnacles have been an indispensable part of maritime history.
The fossilization of barnacles shows that the degree of disconnection of their fossils is a testament to the distance they were transported, and that many species have narrow water depth ranges. If these animals survive in shallow water and decompose when they are washed down the slopeThe integrity and destructive nature of barnacle fossils can be used to infer the tectonic history of shallow areas
The barnacle fossil is shown in the picture.
And when it comes to eating, animals may not be as powerful as humans. Edible Japanese goose barnacles and goose barnacles have become a delicacy in coastal areas such as Chile, Spain, and Japan. Due toThe biogum synthesized from barnacle sugar protein has a very strong adhesionIn medical science, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have also developed a method for useAn adhesive that stops bleeding
Gooseneck barnacles. For barnacles,Living in peace in the ocean may be its best destination, but it is the suffering of other animals living in the sea. I believe that in the future, barnacles should be able to develop a better way to coexist with them.