Description: This barnacle is very large in size (reaching up to 70 mm) with a conical outer shell consisting of 6 plates. As it grows and ages it increases in height, often becoming very tall and stooping over. The walls of the outer plate are smooth or sometimes slightly ridged. The opercular aperture is large with a toothed rim. The terga sit vertically and form a distinct beak. The tergo-scutal flap is white, edged in yellow, and crossed by 4 dark bands. It usually grows on other members of the same species or sometimes on molluscs.

Habitat: A northern species that prefers deep water and strong currents. Often found growing on each other or molluscs.

Distribution: Some scattered records from around Britain and Ireland, mostly concentrated in the north of Ireland and Scotland. There are some southern records.

Similar Species: Unlikely to be confused with any other species due to large size and growth form.

Key Identification Features:

• Large barnacle, often growing on others or molluscs.
• Large opercular aperture with a toothed rim.
• Distinct beak formed by terga.
• Tergo-scutal flap white edged in yellow, with 4 dark bands.

Distribution Map from NBN: Chirona hameri at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Chirona hameri at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Chirona hameri

WoRMS: Chirona hameri at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Chirona hameri (Ascanius, 1767). AphiaID: 106207.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Arthropoda; Crustacea; Multicrustacea; Thecostraca; Cirripedia; Thoracica; Thoracicalcarea; Balanomorpha; Balanoidea; Balanidae; Archaeobalaninae; Chirona