Systematics

Early Contributors

Most published works on the genus Octolasmis are descriptive in the classical sense of introducing new species, and drawing morphological comparisons between species within the genus. Many of the original species descriptions can be found in just a few important references (Aurivillius, 1894; Hoek, 1907; Darwin, 1851; Hiro, 1937; and Pilsbry, 1907). The genus was described in 1825 by J. E. Gray:

A synopsis of the Genera of cirripedes arranged in natural families, with a description of some new species. (Annals of Philosophy, 10: 97&107.) By John Edward Gray, Esq. F.G.S.& co. (To the Editors of the Annals of Philosophy.)

“GENTLEMEN, British Museum, June 9, 1825. "Barnacle and acorn shells first attracted the attention of the older naturalists on account of the fables that they were the origin of the immense flocks of barnacle geese, as described by Gerard and others, but they were afterwards studied zoologically.

"Linnaeus placed these animals together in a genus under the name Lepas, considering the animal as similar to his unfigured, and at present unknown, genus Triton. Their anatomical structure has been displayed by John Hunter, Sir Everard Home, (Comp. Anat.), Poli (Test.des deux Siciles), Cuvier (Ann. du Mus.) Savigny, Blainville (Anat. Comp.), and others. "The zoological characters of this group of animals have been much studied by Bruguières, Lamarck, Schumacher, Leach, and Ranzani; but it has been peculiarly unfortunate in having been chiefly attended to by naturalists who appear to disdain to consult and quote the works of others, or even to use their names…

“This class of animals has been confounded by most authors, as Cuvier, Dumeril, & co. with the Mollusca; indeed the latter first separated them and the Brachiopodous Mollusca into a group from the rest under the latter name, but they were very properly distinguished from these animals by Lamarck, and considered as a distinct group between the Annulosa and Mollusca. Latreille considered them as Annelides, and Mr. W. S. Mac Leay has lately pointed out their position to be an annectant group between the Crustacea and the Radiata. Their affinity to the former is striking; it is not so apparent with regard to the latter, but this will most likely be more obvious when they become more completely known.”

"Class.---Cirripedes. Fam. 1. Anatiferidae, Gray. Body compressed; shelly valves, five or eight; one pair behind, and one or two pair before the legs; one plate on the back (rarely divided across); sheath of the peduncle smooth; destitute of additional scales..." **Body compressed; shelly plates large.

"Gen.4. Octolasmis, Gray. Body subcompressed; shelly plates eight small, three lateral pair and two dorsal; the posterior valves linear ovate, with a notch for the end of the linear ventral valve; lateral central valve triangular; dorsal valves two, meeting at the angle of the back. O. Warwickii, Gray. Heptalasmis Warwickii, Leach, MSS.; but it has certainly eight valves. British Museum.” "And, of course, knowledge of barnacles in general reached a new level following publication of Darwin’s eight-year study of the group. Arguably, Darwin’s four-volume work still stands today as the most comprehensive resource on the barnacles."

Darwin, C. 1851. A monograph of the sub-class Cirripedia, with figures of all the species. I. The Lepadidae. Printed for the Ray Society, London, England. Pp. 1-400. Darwin, C. 1854. A monograph on the sub-class Cirripedia. The Balanidae: The Verrucidae, etc. Ray Society, London, England. Pp. 1-684.

A cumulative list of Octolasmis Spp. gleaned from the literature