Haploporoidea

Haploporoidea is a superfamily of crustaceans belonging to the class Maxillopoda. This group includes several families, with the most well-known being the Balanidae, which are commonly known as barnacles. Barnacles are sessile crustaceans that attach themselves to a variety of substrates, including rocks, boats, and other marine organisms. They are characterized by their hard, calcified exoskeletons and their ability to filter-feed on plankton.

The superfamily Haploporoidea is further divided into two suborders: Balanomorpha and Phthiracarida. The Balanomorpha suborder includes the barnacles, which are found in both marine and freshwater environments. The Phthiracarida suborder, on the other hand, consists of a single family, the Phthiracaridae, which are small, free-living crustaceans that inhabit freshwater environments.

The taxonomy of Haploporoidea is complex, with many species and genera described over the years. However, recent molecular studies have suggested that the traditional classification may need to be revised, as some species may not fit neatly into the current taxonomic framework. Despite these challenges, Haploporoidea remains an important group of crustaceans, both ecologically and economically, due to their role in marine and freshwater ecosystems and their impact on human activities, such as biofouling.