Cetacean-parasite
Guides
Coronula
whale barnacles
Coronula is a genus of whale barnacles in the family Coronulidae, comprising eight described species including both extant and fossil taxa. Extant species are obligate ectoparasites of cetaceans, attaching directly to whale skin using specialized morphological adaptations. The genus is notable for its deep host integration, with shell bases forming hollow coring tubes that penetrate whale tissue to achieve secure attachment. Coronula diadema is the best-studied extant species and serves as a model for understanding barnacle-cetacean symbiosis.