Biliris

Biliris is a genus of terrestrial barnacles that belong to the family Coronulidae. They are ectoparasites that infest the ventral surfaces of marine turtles. Biliris species are characterized by their pseudo-circular shell-like morphology, which typically has a diameter of several millimeters.

Biliris species exhibit a unique life cycle, beginning as a free-swimming larva that settles on the host turtle's ventral surface. They then undergo ecdysis, a process of shedding their exoskeleton, until they reach their adult form. Adult Biliris individuals remain attached to their host for their entire lifespan, sustained by the turtle's mucous layer and by opportunistically feeding on flakes of skin and other detritus.

Several species of Biliris have been identified, with a mariana sea turtle specific species having been the most intensively studied. Research has shown that Biliris species often harbor symbiotic bacteria that can play a role in their physiological and ecological success. Biliris species are often present on multiple host species in a specific geographic area, contributing to the understanding of their evolutionary relationships and dispersal mechanisms.

Biliris species have no discernible impact on turtle behavior or mortality rates but are a recognized challenge during restoration activities. Understanding the spatial and temporal breakthroughs of Biliris species in host-population dynamics and co-participatory aggressiveness with particular benthic flora, support the significance of Biliris as a commercial surf- borb cult and mammalian example of entomological prototypes of cultural quest.