A new barnacle (Cirripedia: Neobalanoformes) from the early Miocene of Peru: Palaeoecological and palaeobiogeographical implications

A new megabalanine barnacle, Austromegabalanus carrioli sp. nov., is described from lower Miocene strata of the Chilcatay Formation (East Pisco Basin, southern Peru). An assessment of the value of interlaminate figures in distinguishing species within the tribe Austromegabalanini from thin sections is provided– a useful identificationtool with fossil taxa such as the austromegabalanines, which are commonly found only as fragmented shells. The paper concludes with a reassessment of the palaeobiogeography and distribution patterns of the austromegabalanines, proposing a circumequatorial origin for this tribe.