Living on the Edge: Settlement Patterns by the Symbiotic Barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitis on Small Cetaceans.

Abstract in brief

• The study examines how the barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitis attaches to small cetaceans, especially focusing on patterns related to occurrence, abundance, size, and orientation on striped dolphins stranded in Spain, with findings showing a preference for fins and specific parts of the caudal fin.
• Barnacles are mostly found on the trailing edges of fins and the central regions of dorsal and ventral flukes, with attachment orientation suggesting a passive selection influenced by water flow and vortex creation that aids larval survival and settlement.
• The researchers propose that chemical cues may lead barnacles to recognize dolphins as a host, but physical factors like water flow, fin movement, and vortex formation play a significant role in where and how the barnacles attach, particularly on the dorsal side and trailing edges of fins.