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 f gures in distinguishing species within the tribe Austromegabalanini from thin sections is provided – a useful identif cation tool 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 circum-equatorial origin for this tribe.