A Tropical Eastern Pacific Barnacle, Megabalanus coccopoma (Darwin), in Southern California, following El Nino 1982-83

The Tropical Pacific Ocean experienced "El Nino" in 1982-83. The event was marked by increased water temperatures in the Eastern Pacific and, near shore in Southern California, the appearance of nekton normally found well to the south. The present note records the appearance of waifs of the large, tropical, benthic barnacle, Megabalanus coccopoma, in waters off San Diego, California, following this event. The timing of the appearance of this species, a year or so after El Nino 1982-83 was officially over, and the appearance of the related species, M. californicus, north of its normal range, a year or so prior to the recognition of El Ninios 1940-41 and 1982-83, indicate that significant range extensions apparently related to El Nino events may bracket El Nino years designated by physical oceanographers