Reply to Clare and Heg 2008. Balanus amphitrite or Amphibalanus amphitrite? A note on barnacle nomenclature

The scientific names of living organisms can and do sometimes change. Such changes generally reflect advances in knowledge of the relationships of species and/or higher taxa. The new name, Amphibalanus amphitrite (subfamily Amphibalaninae), for a well-known fouling barnacle previously known as Balanus amphitrite (subfamily Balaninae), was proposed in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and is now widely accepted. Clare and Heg (2008) criticise this change but offer no scientifically valid reason to return to the earlier nomenclature of this or any other well-known species of barnacle.