Distribution of Two Species of Conchoderma (Cirripedia : Thoracica) over the Body of a Sea Snake, Laticauda semifasciata (Reinwardt), from the Kii Peninsula, Southwestern Japan

Abstract

Two species of Conchoderma were found on a sea snake, Laticauda semifasciata (Reinwardt), collected on the west coast of the Kii Peninsula. A total of 223 individuals of C. virgatum and 6 of C. hunteri in 19 clumps were attached to the snake's body. The barnacles ranged in size from 1.4 mm (cypris larvae) to 18.2 mm in capitulum length in C. virgatum, and from 10.7 to 14.4 mm in C. hunteri. The size of the smallest gravid individuals in both species was between 10 and 11 mm. The distribution of C. virgatum on the snake was non-random both longitudinally and dorso-ventrally, with more barnacles in the posterior region and on the ventral side of the snake, respectively. The proportion of gravid individuals increased towards the tail.