Foreword. Preface. 1. Friction and adhesion: fundamentals. 2. Insect cuticle: structure and properties of the material. 3. Cuticular protuberances of insets. 4. Principles of cuticular attachment in Arthropoda. 5. Frictional systems. 6. Dragonfly and damselfly head-arresting system. 7. Intersegmental frictional devices. 8. Wing-locking devices. 9. Attachment pads. 10. Secretions in frictional systems. References. Index.

Attachment devices of insect cuticle

Over the last decade, approaches to the development of surfaces that perturb settlement and/or adhesion by barnacles have diversified substantially. Although, previously, coatings research focussed almost exclusively on biocidal technologies and low modulus, low surface-free-energy 'fouling-release' materials, novel strategies to control surface colonisation are now receiving significant attention. It is timely, therefore, to review the current 'state of knowledge' regarding fouling-resistant surface characteristics and their mechanisms of action against settling larvae of barnacles. The role of the barnacle in marine fouling is discussed here in the context of its life cycle and the behavioural ecology of its cypris larva. The temporary and permanent adhesion mechanisms of cyprids are covered in detail and an overview of adult barnacle adhesion is presented. Recent legislation has directed academic research firmly towards environmentally inert marine coatings, so the actions of traditional biocides on barnacles are not described here. Instead, the discussion is restricted to those surface modifications that interfere with settlement-site selection and adhesion of barnacle cypris larvae; specifically, textural engineering of surfaces, development of inert 'non-fouling' surfaces and the use of enzymes in antifouling.

The adhesive strategies of cyprids and development of barnacle-resistant marine coatings

Marine sessile organisms naturally attach themselves to diverse materials in water by a technique that has so far remained unreproducible. Recent studies on the holdfast of marine sessile organisms have revealed natural concepts that are currently beyond our understanding with respect to the molecular design and macroscopic range. The combination of valuable and practical natural design of biotic adhesives as biomolecular materials, together with continuing efforts towards mimetic design, hold the promise of revolution for future materials. This review focuses on recent advances in the study of barnacle underwater cement, a protein complex whose constituents and the properties of individual components are being uncovered. A comparison is made with the model systems used by the mussel and tubeworm.

Underwater adhesive of marine organisms as the vital link between biological science and material science

Barnacle cement proteins. Importance of disulfide bonds in their insolubility.

Adhesion in blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis ) and barnacles (genus Balanus ): Mechanisms and technical applications

1. The histological characteristics of the cement gland cells of barnacles have been compared in B. nubilis, B. psittacus, B. eburneus, B. balanoides and B. amphitrite. 2. In B. balanoides, the cement gland cells show a very simple composition; they are situated at the base of the animal and the secretion appears scattered throughout the cytoplasm. The cement apparatus of B. amphitrite and B. eburneus looks like that of B. tintinnabulum, but in B. psittacus and B. nubilis the cement gland cells appear more complex. 3. The extrusion of the cement secretion is brought about by muscle fibers that pass through the connective tissue, and in B. psittacus and B. nubilis by elastic fibers around the secondary and principal canal systems.

A comparative study of the cement glands in some balanid barnacles (cirripedia, balanidae).

1. The histological characteristics of the cement apparatus of barnacles have been compared in Lepas anatifera and Balanus tintinnabulum.2. In both species the cement is formed in unicellular glands and conducted to the points of attachment through a series of tubular canals.3. The cement gland cells of L. anatifera differ from those of B. tintinnabulum in several cytological details which may indicate differences in the secretory mechanisms.

Dyrce Lacombe

Papers

A comparative study of the cement glands in some balanid barnacles (cirripedia, balanidae).

Comparative histological studies of the cement apparatus of lepas anatifera and balanus tintinnabulum