Diversity of Parasitic Peltogastrid Barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia: Rhizocephala) on Hermit Crabs in Korea.

We performed a diversity study on parasitic barnacles (Crustacea: Cirripedia: Rhizocephala: Peltogastridae) that parasitize hermit crabs in Korea. Their morphological, ecological, molecular (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S rRNA), and biogeographical characteristics were examined. Three species were identified based on GenBank sequences and the external morphology of the externa. In addition, this study proposes four new candidate species. This is the first report on the family Peltogastridae from Korea. Six hermit crab species were found to be new hosts to peltogastrids. Korean peltogastrids are less prevalent on their host hermit crabs than those from Japan are, especially in the west coast of Korea. Peltogasterella gracilis is widely distributed throughout Korea, Peltogaster lineata is located on the east coast, and Peltogaster postica is only located on Jeju Island.