Balanus nubilus
Introduction '''''Balanus nubilus''''', commonly called the '''giant acorn barnacle''', is the world's largest barnacle, reaching a diameter of  and a height of up to , and containing the largest known muscle fibres. ''Balanus nubilus'' is a northeast Pacific species that ranges from southern Alaska to Baja California. It is frequently found growing on rocks, pier pilings and hard-shelled animals at depths of up to . Like other acorn barnacles, ''B. nubilus'' is a filter feeder; it, in turn, is sometimes eaten by sea otters, sea stars, crabs and the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest. Abandoned shells of ''B. nubilus'' are used by the crab ''Glebocarcinus oregonensis'' for shelter.
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