Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Free swimming
zoospore
Adhesive
Attachment of
zoospore
Figure 2.5 Various stages in the attachment of a zoospore on an immersed surface
Figure 2.6 Polycheates attached to a PP polymer surface
The adhesion of barnacles is a little different ( Figure 2.7 ). During its investigative phase,
the larvae or cyprids use antennules to explore the surfaces. Then they temporarily
adhere to the surfaces using a proteinaceous glue secreted by the antennules.
Once a proper surface is selected, the cyprid stands on its head and releases
proteinaceous cement on to the paired antennules. The permanent cyprid cement
lows around and embeds the attachment organs. The irmly attached cyprid then
metamorphoses into a juvenile barnacle. Later this becomes a calciied adult barnacle
[29]. There are a number of papers that show that the settlement of barnacles occurs
in response to a settlement inducing protein complex, a glycoprotein, isolated from
adult shells [33], also known as the 'barnacle settlement pheromone'.
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