Lepas anatifera

Lepas anatifera is a pelagic goose barnacle with a flexible stalk that attaches to floating objects and marine animals. Its broad distribution reflects life in the open ocean and transport on drifting surfaces.

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Goose barnacle: A stalked barnacle whose capitulum is held above a surface by a flexible peduncle. Lepas anatifera is a member of this stalked-barnacle group.
Suspension feeding: Feeding by capturing food particles suspended in water. Lepas anatifera extends its cirri into passing water to collect food.
Neuston: Organisms that live at or just below the ocean's surface film. Lepas anatifera is part of surface-associated communities carried by open-ocean waters.
Lepas: A genus of stalked barnacles commonly found attached to floating objects in the open ocean. Lepas anatifera is one species within this pelagic barnacle genus.
Driftwood: Wood carried by water after falling into rivers, lakes, or oceans. Driftwood is a natural floating surface on which Lepas anatifera can settle.
Cirripedia: A subclass of crustaceans that includes barnacles, many of which live attached as adults. Its adult attachment and larval development place it among the barnacles.
Barnacle cement: A strong biological adhesive secreted by barnacles to attach themselves to surfaces. Adhesion anchors the peduncle to driftwood, plastics, or animal surfaces.
Rafting (biology): The transport of organisms across water on floating natural or human-made material. Floating substrates carry this barnacle across large distances between suitable habitats.
Lepas anserifera: A pelagic stalked barnacle in the genus Lepas, often found on floating material. This close relative shares a pelagic lifestyle but is a distinct species.
Sargassum: A genus of brown seaweeds that includes species forming extensive floating mats. Floating seaweed offers both attachment surfaces and habitat for pelagic barnacles.