Xenobalanus globicipitis, a unique type of small pseudo-stalked barnacle occurs on the appendages of cetaceans, including the common bottlenose dolphin @entity13552 . In this study, we examined attachment structures of X. globicipitis and modifications to the skin of @entity13552 in areas of attachment compared to skin nearby an attachment site. Barnacles and their six calcareous footplates were measured for their length and width. There was a positive correlation of barnacle width and length to footplate width and length. The thickness of the stratum corneum increased significantly in areas of attachment compared to skin nearby a footplate. The mitotic stratum germinativum at the base of the @entity1829 did not change significantly in areas of attachment compared to skin nearby a footplate. The stratum germinativum lining the lateral walls of the @entity1829 was significantly thicker in areas of skin nearby a footplate compared to in areas of attachment. Skin of @entity13552 nearby a footplate, displayed @entity1829 extending from the dermis and pointing roughly perpendicular to the epidermal stratum corneum. At sites of X. globicipitis attachment, the @entity1829 were forced to extend laterally, parallel to the stratum corneum, and the @entity1829 length to width ratio at an attachment site was significantly higher than on skin near an attachment site. Our results show that attachment of X. globicipitis through production of footplates organized into calcareous rings, leads to a thickened stratum corneum of the epidermis, a thinner lateral mitotic stratum germinativum and displaced structures of the upper dermis. These resulting modifications to the epidermis and dermis of the host may add to securing barnacle attachment to its host.

Barnacle bonding: morphology of attachment of Xenobalanus globicipitis to its host XXXX .

@entity1829 :: ('MESH:D010211', 'Disease') :: ['dermal papillae'] @entity13552 :: ('9739', 'Species') :: ['T. truncatus', 'Tursiops truncatus']
@entity13552 :: (9739,Species) :: ['Tursiops truncatus']
