Barnacles are often the dominant hard foulers in marine waters, attaching to substrates by secreting a proteinaceous adhesive. Previous experiments in our lab have shown an inverse relationship between critical removal stress (CRS) and the temperature at which barnacles were reared. The mechanism accounting for the temperature effect is still unknown and could be mediated through changes to the composition and amount of the adhesive. To investigate the underlying mechanism responsible for the temperature effect we are using a combination of 2D-E proteomics, direct observations of growth ring and cementing systems, and by conducting FTIR microscopy to confirm chemical differences between cement secreted at different temperatures. Our working hypothesis is that the temperature at which animals grow may affect the density of the cementing system and thus the composition and abundance of adhesive proteins.

Exploring the mechanisms underlying why temperature affects the adhesive tenacity of barnacles grown on non-toxic marine coatings

245th National Meeting (2013)

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