title: BIOADHESION IN CAULERPA MEXICANA (CHLOROPHYTA): RHIZOID-SUBSTRATE ADHESION(1).
abstract: The attachment of the psammophytic alga Caulerpa mexicana Sond. ex Kütz., a coenocytic green alga, to crushed CaCO3 particles was examined utilizing the scanning electron microscope and fluorescently tagged antivitronectin antibodies. Plants attached to the substrate through morphologically variable tubular rhizoidal extensions that grew from the stolon. In this study, we describe two means of attachment: (i) the rhizoid attachment to limestone gravel by thigmoconstriction, where tubular extensions of the rhizoid wrapped tightly around the substrate and changed morphology to fit tightly into crevices in the limestone, and (ii) through adhesion pads that formed in contact with the limestone granules. Flattened rhizoidal pads were observed to secrete a fibrillar material that contained vitronectin-like proteins identified through immunolocialization and that facilitated binding of the rhizoid to the substrate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USADepartment of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USADepartment of Biology, West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19383, USA.
authors.forename: Wayne R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Fagerberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USADepartment of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USADepartment of Biology, West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19383, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Towle
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USADepartment of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USADepartment of Biology, West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19383, USA.
authors.forename: Clinton J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Dawes
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USADepartment of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USADepartment of Biology, West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19383, USA.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Böttger
keywords: Caulerpa; Q-dots; biofouling; coenocytic green algae; psammophytic alga; rhizoid attachment; thigmotropic; vitronectin-like proteins