In situ study of surface exploration by barnacle cyprids (Semibalanus balanoides) using imaging surface plasmon resonance

• Imaging surface plasmon resonance (iSPR) was employed to investigate the interfacial adhesion phenomena that occur during the exploration of immersed surfaces by barnacle cyprids (Semibalanus balanoides). It was hypothesised that since the footprint material used by cyprids for temporary adhesion has previously been related to a large cuticular glycoprotein (SIPC), the passive deposition of cyprid footprints and the binding of SIPC to surfaces might correlate. Increased surface exploration (and footprint deposition) has also been related to increased likelihood of settlement in barnacle cyprids. If a correlation between footprint deposition and SIPC binding were to exist, therefore, there would be potential for the development of a high‐throughput assay to determine the efficacy of putative antifouling chemistries against cyprids prior to, or instead of, lengthy bio‐assays. Footprints were deposited in large numbers on carboxyl‐terminated self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) and in very small numbers on ethylene glycol‐containing SAMs and hydrogel coatings. SIPC binding also followed the same trend. An exception to the correlation was an amineterminated SAM that accumulated few cyprid footprints, but bound SIPC strongly. It is concluded that there is great potential for the iSPR technique to be used in the evaluation of putatively non‐fouling surfaces as well as improving our understanding of the nature of the cyprid footprint material and its interactions with surfaces of different chemistry. However, the use of SIPC binding as a predictor of footprint accumulation/likelihood of settlement of cyprids to surfaces would be premature at this stage without first understanding the exceptions highlighted in this study.

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