Dear Kitty. Some blog

October 16, 2009

New barnacle research [Invertebrates, Biology, Chemistry] — Administrator @ 2:41 pm


This video is called Balanus barnacle hunting and gathering on a stone in Puget Sound.

From the BBC:

Barnacles‘ sticky secret revealed

By Jody Bourton
Earth News reporter

Barnacles are able to attach themselves to almost anything.

They are found clinging to the hulls of ships, the sides of rock pools and even to the skin of whales.

Just how they stick so steadfastly whilst underwater has remained a biochemical puzzle for scientists for many years.

Now researchers have solved this mystery, showing that barnacle glue binds together exactly the same way as human blood does when it clots.

Barnacles are crustaceans that live in shallow ocean environments.

As larvae they affix to hard substrates, then remain stationary for the rest of their lives.

To attach themselves to a surface, the barnacles secrete an adhesive substance.

Scientist knew the chemical properties of this glue, but not how these chemicals interact to create a sticky effect.

Now researchers reveal all in The Journal of Experimental Biology.

Darwin and the cirripedes: Insights and dreadful blunders: here.

One species of a rare, ancient barnacle has extraordinarily high levels of a toxic chemical in its body, scientists have discovered: here.

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