First authentic report of the turtle barnacle Cylindrolepas Darwiniana since its description in 1916

Abstract

An analysis of museum specimens reveals that reports of the chelonophilic barnacle Cylindrolepas darwiniana are misidentifications of the similar turtle barnacle Platylepas decorata. As a result, contemporary collections from loggerhead and hawksbill sea turtles represent the first report of this turtle barnacle since its description nearly a century ago. Novel morphological characters that clearly distinguish C. darwiniana from other turtle barnacles have been ascertained from the recent specimens and are reported. © 2010 The Crustacean Society.