Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
07:47
The Barnacle Balanus improvisus as a Marine Model - Culturing and Gene Expression
Published on: August 8, 2018
Some insights into how barnacles survive as sessile organisms.
John S Buckeridge1, Jessica M Reeves
1Earth and Oceanic Systems Research Group, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. john.buckeridge@rmit.edu.au
Integrative Zoology
|March 12, 2011
Summary
Barnacles were found to accumulate high levels of bromine, a chemical not typically found in high concentrations in marine animals. This extraordinary bromine accumulation in barnacle tissue may serve as a defense mechanism against predators.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Chemical ecology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Bromine ions are present in seawater but typically at low concentrations.
- Organic bromine compound accumulation is known in some marine invertebrates like sponges and algae.
- Goose barnacles (Thoracica) are filter feeders with limited known chemical defenses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the unprecedented high accumulation of bromine in the soft tissue of Chaetolepas calcitergum.
- To investigate the potential ecological significance of this bromine accumulation.
- To review known defensive mechanisms in barnacles.
Main Methods:
- Routine chemical analysis of barnacle tissue samples.
- Literature review of barnacle defense mechanisms and bromine accumulation in marine organisms.
Main Results:
- Chaetolepas calcitergum exhibited bromine concentrations exceeding 7% of dry mass.
- This level of bromine accumulation is significantly higher than environmental seawater concentrations.
- No prior records of elevated bromine in goose barnacles were found.
Conclusions:
- The high bromine content in C. calcitergum likely represents a novel defense strategy against predation.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific bromine compounds and their biosynthetic pathways.
- This finding highlights the diverse and underappreciated chemical defenses in marine invertebrates.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope
The outermost layers of prokaryotic cells play a critical role in their survival, virulence, and interaction with the environment. These layers, often composed of polysaccharides, polypeptides, or proteins, form protective and adhesive structures that vary in organization and function.Capsules and Slime LayersCapsules are highly organized, tightly bound layers that firmly attach to the bacterial cell wall. Capsules are usually made of polysaccharides, though some are made of polypeptides. These...
01:23Surface Appendages of Archaea
Archaeal surface appendages are highly specialized structures essential for environmental adaptation, encompassing roles in adhesion, biofilm formation, and motility. Among these appendages, pili and archaella stand out for their distinct morphologies and functionalities, enabling archaea to thrive in diverse and often extreme environments.Pili: Adhesion and Biofilm FormationPili are filamentous structures assembled from pilin protein subunits, primarily contributing to adhesion and biofilm...
01:27Diversity of Protists II
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
01:29Biosynthesis of Lipids
Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, which...
01:27Diversity of Protists III
Rhizaria are a diverse group of unicellular protists characterized by their threadlike cytoplasmic extensions known as pseudopodia. These structures aid in both locomotion and feeding, giving Rhizaria an amoeboid appearance. Their amoeboid morphology once led to taxonomic confusion, but molecular phylogenetics has clarified their evolutionary placement and emphasized their shared use of pseudopodia despite divergent lineages.This clade comprises diverse lineages such as Chlorarachniophyta,...
01:25Colonisation of Pathogens
Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...