Abstract
A new species of scalpellomorph barnacle belonging to the genusVulcanolepas is described from material collected at an active vent on the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge at 2212 m depth. Some specimens were attached to the glassy substratum, aphyric dacite; others were attached to peduncle and capitulum of conspecifics. The new species is related toVulcanolepas osheai from the Kermadec Ridge near New Zealand. Geographically, the nearest other neolepad population isNeolepas rapanui on the southern East Pacific Rise. The new species was found under cool conditions at near ambient temperatures, but the coating of the capitulum and stalk indicate the vent fluid was rich in heavy metals. The adult specimens were accompanied by large numbers of juveniles and recently settled individuals, suggesting either good recruitment or slow growth.
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