PubHawk
Proc Biol Sci May 2008 PMID 18252665

Precisely proportioned: intertidal barnacles alter penis form to suit coastal wave action.

Christopher J Neufeld, A Richard Palmer

Download social card

Mentions

40
Peak: 3 in Jul 2020
across 7 sources since Mar 2020

Extended reach

834,849
potential audience

Total likes

18,610

Video views

806,631

Mentions per month

Mar 2020 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News14 articles
  • X / Twitter10 posts
  • Blogs9 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collective discussions demonstrate genuine interest through fun facts about barnacle reproductive changes and citations of scientific papers, with some posts encouraging sharing and educational comments. The tone varies from playful to informative, contributing to a moderately engaged and agreeable perception of the research's significance.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the findings of the research, as seen in references to the study and citations, indicating general alignment with the scientific conclusions.

InterestHigh interest

The topics of barnacle adaptations and their environmental responses fascinate many, with posts highlighting fun facts and encouraging sharing, reflecting high curiosity.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts range from light-hearted comments to sharing citations and encouraging further discussion, showing moderate engagement rather than deep scientific debate.

ImpactModerate impact

While some suggest the findings reveal interesting biological strategies, the overall tone is casual, implying the perceived impact on broader science or environment is moderate.

Abstract in brief

  • Intertidal barnacles, despite small size, have the longest penises relative to their body, which they use to copulate while sessile.
  • Barnacles living in wave-exposed areas develop shorter, stouter, and more massive penises compared to those in protected bays, with changes linked to wave intensity.
  • Experimental transplant studies show barnacles can rapidly alter their penis shape based on local wave conditions, indicating they adjust their genital morphology as a response to environmental flow, highlighting a form of phenotypic plasticity.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
The Octopus Lady
@theoctopuslady · X

Well, if you wanna help an octopus out, feel free to give it another watch or share it with others! https://t.co/hhcNRioqHB

Jun 29, 2023 · 6 likes · 1 share · 3,524 followers View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

Fun fact: barnacles, well known for their extraordinary penis size, can change their pee pee size and shape depending on the environment, like how many other barnacles are around and turbulence of water

Feb 23, 2025 · 3 likes · 8,809 followers View post →
Zen Faulkes
@DoctorZen · X

@duffy_ma Citation's here: https://t.co/6JwP33Krmo

Jul 3, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 5,612 followers View post →
Daniel Sasson
@Daniel_A_Sasson · X

@DrBirdLady Here's one (of a few) papers about it if you want a citation for your lecture: https://t.co/AziFUuKVtu

Jul 3, 2020 · 1 like · 355 followers View post →
Lakes, Rivers, & Shores
@ExpEcolBard · X

Barnacles mate apparently. This figure shows the trade-off, barnacles with large genitals, have when the water is flowing fast. AS Neufeld, Christopher J, and A Richard Palmer. “Precisely proportioned: intertidal barnacles alter penis form to suit coastal wave action.” https://t.co/K3AUZOZ4BU

Oct 22, 2021 · 1 like · 28 followers View post →
Adam Daniels
@AdamDaniel15547 · X

https://t.co/9uXwb0lKQi

May 18, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 14 followers View post →

All mentions

Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic.bsky.social · Bluesky

Fun fact: barnacles, well known for their extraordinary penis size, can change their pee pee size and shape depending on the environment, like how many other barnacles are around and turbulence of water

Feb 23, 2025 · 3 shares View post →
Harriet Carroll: Long Covid Scientific Consultancy
@angryhacademic · X

Fun fact: barnacles, well known for their extraordinary penis size, can change their pee pee size and shape depending on the environment, like how many other barnacles are around and turbulence of water

Feb 23, 2025 · 3 likes · 8,809 followers View post →
Adam Daniels
@AdamDaniel15547 · X

RT @AdamDaniel15547: https://t.co/9uXwb0lKQi

May 20, 2024 · 1 share · 14 followers View post →
Adam Daniels
@AdamDaniel15547 · X

https://t.co/9uXwb0lKQi

May 18, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 14 followers View post →
Alexander Jalexander Nalexander
@Kristsune · X

RT @theoctopuslady: Well, if you wanna help an octopus out, feel free to give it another watch or share it with others! https://t.co/hhcNRi…

Jun 29, 2023 · 1 share · 288 followers View post →
The Octopus Lady
@theoctopuslady · X

Well, if you wanna help an octopus out, feel free to give it another watch or share it with others! https://t.co/hhcNRioqHB

Jun 29, 2023 · 6 likes · 1 share · 3,524 followers View post →
Lakes, Rivers, & Shores
@ExpEcolBard · X

Barnacles mate apparently. This figure shows the trade-off, barnacles with large genitals, have when the water is flowing fast. AS Neufeld, Christopher J, and A Richard Palmer. “Precisely proportioned: intertidal barnacles alter penis form to suit coastal wave action.” https://t.co/K3AUZOZ4BU

Oct 22, 2021 · 1 like · 28 followers View post →
Daniel Sasson
@Daniel_A_Sasson · X

@DrBirdLady Here's one (of a few) papers about it if you want a citation for your lecture: https://t.co/AziFUuKVtu

Jul 3, 2020 · 1 like · 355 followers View post →
Meghan Duffy
@duffy_ma · X

RT @DoctorZen: @duffy_ma Citation's here: https://t.co/6JwP33Krmo

Jul 3, 2020 · 1 share · 9,247 followers View post →
Zen Faulkes
@DoctorZen · X

@duffy_ma Citation's here: https://t.co/6JwP33Krmo

Jul 3, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 5,612 followers View post →
Bruno Corbara
@BrunoCorbara · X

@jp_colin @SBM_Concarneau @BrunoDavidMNHN Neufeld CJ, Palmer AR. 2008 Precisely proportioned: intertidal barnacles alter penis form to suit coastal wave action. Proc. R. Soc. B 275, 1081–1087. (doi:10.1098/rspb.2007.1760)

Mar 31, 2020 · 310 followers View post →