Understanding the structure of the adhesive plaque of Amphibalanus reticulatus

The barnacle, Amphibalanus reticulatus, is a common fouler in the Indian marine waters and is found to attach to a wide variety of natural and man-made surfaces. The shells of the barnacles remain attached to the substrate irrespective of whether the barnacle is alive or dead and details of dried shells are relatively less explored. The dried adhesive plaque of the barnacles attached to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) substrates were isolated and subjected to several structural characterization studies like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results report the presence of calcite nano-crystallites and amide II groups corresponding to the adhesive protein. The characteristic concentric ring pattern of barnacle base-plate structure, under higher magnification using SEM, appears to be formed of alternate calcite bricks and cement duct openings with an increasing separation distance between adjacent rings. The shear strength studies of barnacles of varying size indicate a direct correspondence to the base-plate diameter.