Cetacean-symbiont
Guides
Coronula diadema
whale barnacle, humpback whale barnacle
Coronula diadema is a species of whale barnacle that lives exclusively on cetacean hosts, primarily humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). First described by Carl Linnaeus in 1767, this barnacle attaches to whale skin using specialized coring structures and filter-feeds on plankton. The species exhibits simultaneous hermaphroditism and forms mating groups of up to nine individuals. Its crown-like appearance gives rise to both its scientific and common names.