Catophragmidae
The Catophragmidae are a family of barnacles in the superfamily Chthamaloidea with eight shell wall plates, surrounded by several whorls of imbricating plates. The basis is membranous.
This family occupies lower to upper midlittoral warm seas of the Pacific Coast of Central America, Caribbean, Bermuda, and Australia/Tasmania. These populations are highly disjunct and can be seen as relictual.
Two subfamilies are recognized:
- Catophragminae Ross & Newman, 2001
- Catomerinae Ross & Newman, 2001
The family contains these genera: All genera are at present monotypic.
- Catolasmus Ross & Newman, 2001
- Catomerus Pilsbry, 1916
- Catophragmus Sowerby, 1827
- †Pachydiadema Withers, 1935
The Catophragmidae have historically suffered from a lack of systematic attention. Ross and Newman, 2001 published a revision of the family, proposing one new genus and creating two subfamilies. The family was discussed as representing very early balanomorph lineages. The known species conserve many plesiomorphic traits.
