Thoracica
Synonyms
Balanus
Barnacle
Barnacles
Pedunculata
Pedunculatas
Sessilia
Sessilias
Thoracicas
A superorder of marine CRUSTACEA, free swimming in the larval state, but permanently fixed as adults. There are some 800 described species, grouped in several genera, and comprising of two major orders of barnacles: stalked (Pedunculata) and sessile (Sessilia).