Marine tubeworms need nudge to transition from larvae state
Thursday, January 9, 2014 - 15:30
in Biology & Nature
Biofouling is the process by which barnacles, muscles, oysters, and tubeworms accumulate on the bottom of boats and other surfaces. Researchers have discovered a biological trigger behind the buildup. Biofouling begins when floating marine larvae come into contact with a biofilm formed by a microbe. Now researchers have isolated the genetic underpinnings of this novel form of bacterium-animal interaction.