Bocquetia rosea, New Genus, New Species, an Unusual Rhizocephalan Parasite of a Sponge-Inhabiting Barnacle, Membranobalanus orcutti (Pilsbry), from California

Abstract

BOCQUETIA rosea, new genus, new species, a rhizocephalan parasite of the sponge-inhabiting barnacle Membranobalanus orcutti is described from the coast of southern California. It constitutes the first "akentrogonid" rhizocephalan known from the Indo-Pacific and the first rhizocephalan known from an obligate commensal. It is most closely related to Chthamalophilus delagei and Boschmaella balani from the Atlantic coast of France, both of which are also barnacle parasites. Bocquetia is distinguished primarily from the other two genera by the greater extent to which the alimentary root system invades the host. The cyrpid larvae lack natatory thoracic appendages and thereby appear to have limited dispersal capabilities. Except for a single individual, all specimens of Bocquetia rosea were found on the host barnacle Membranobalanus orcutti inhabiting the sponge Spheciospongia confoederata at only one of six locations.