Enhanced adhesion and chemoattraction of zoospores of the fouling alga enteromorpha to some foul‐release silicone elastomers

Abstract

Significantly higher numbers of zoospores of the fouling, green alga Enteromorpha adhered to silicone elastomers cured by dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) than to identical polymers cured by dibutyltin diacetate (DBTDA). Enhanced zoospore adhesion was shown to be due to the presence of DBTDL and the effect was concentration‐dependent. Further experiments revealed that enhanced zoospore adhesion also occurred to glass coverslips coated with lauric acid (C₁₂) and other saturated fatty acids. The possibility that fatty acids may act as chemical cues (chemoattractants), guiding motile zoospores to the substratum for settlement in the natural environment is discussed. Settlement of other fouling organisms to DBTDL‐cured silicone elastomers is currently being investigated.

Key words:

• algae
• adhesion
• biofouling
• Enteromorpha
• fatty acids
• intercellular signalling
• ship‐fouling
• silicone elastomer
• spores

Notes

Corresponding author; email: [email protected]