Infestation of the barnacle Perforatus perforatus (Crustacea, Cirripedia) by a boring polydorid (Polychaeta) in Izmir Bay

This study focuses on the symbiotic association between the annelids of the family Spionidae and the barnacles found in the supra-mediolittoral zone of İzmir Bay, Turkish Aegean Sea. A total of 114 individuals belonging to Perforatus perforatus were recorded. Eleven of them were infected by parasitic boring polydorids. All individuals of Dipolydora armata were found in living cirripedes. No parasitic specimens were found on the plates of dead barnacles. The symbiotic relationship between Dipolydora armata and Perforatus perforatus is reported for the first time with this study. The puncture parasite, Dipolydora armata was observed in different parts of the body, except for the rostral plate of the periwinkle barnacle, Perforatus perforatus. © 2019 Parlar Scientific Publications. All rights reserved.