Rhizocephala

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Rhizocephala (parasitic barnacles; subphylum Crustacea, class Cirripedia) Order of naked barnacles which are entirely parasitic, mainly on Decapoda. Rhizocephalans are recognizable as barnacles only in their larval stages. The peduncle comprises foot-like absorption processes which penetrate the host tissues. Appendages and digestive tract are absent.

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