Picking up where Darwin left off:
Studies on the Symbiotic Barnacles of Sea Turtles.
Two decades before he received international notoriety from the publication of ‘On the Origin of Species’, Charles Darwin was recognized as the imminent authority on barnacles. A group of these calcium-shelled crustaceans particularly interested him and helped seed his interest in evolutionary theory. This group is now commonly referred to as ‘turtle barnacles’ and, relatively little has been learned of this interesting group of barnacles in the 125 years following the publication of Darwin’s barnacle monograph.
For the last twelve years Michael Frick has studied this highly symbiotic group of barnacles and has gained some interesting insights into their taxonomy and life history as sea turtle companions. The biology of turtle barnacles is intricately intertwined with the biology of their sea turtle hosts, and as a result, turtle barnacles have evolved some interesting means by which to stay attached to turtles - surprisingly with little or no effect to their hosts. The current focus presentation will examine the variety of turtle barnacles known to date, and what species of turtles they adhere to. It will also illustrate how these animals may help us to understand certain aspects about sea turtle natural history and biology.
Monday October 26, 2009 7:00 p.m.
St. Simons Casino Room 114
(912) 638-8234
