Many aquatic invertebrates are associated with surfaces, using adhesives to attach to the
substratum for locomotion, prey capture, reproduction, building or defence. Their intriguing …

The endoskeleton of echinoderms (Deuterostomia: Echinodermata) is of mesodermal origin
and consists of cells, organic components, as well as an inorganic mineral matrix. The …

Abstract In the Mediterranean Sea the co-occurring sea urchins Paracentrotus lividus and
Arbacia lixula are usually considered to share the same ecological role in the formation of …

While the study of dispersal and connectivity in the ocean typically centres on pelagic
species and planktonic larval stages of benthic species, the present work explores an …

Temperate rocky reefs may occur in two alternative states (coralline barrens and erect algal
forests), whose formation and maintenance are often determined by sea urchin grazing. The …

To resist hydrodynamic forces, two main underwater attachment strategies have evolved
multiple times in aquatic animals: glue-like “bioadhesive secretions” and pressure-driven …

Marine bioadhesives perform in ways that manmade products simply cannot match,
especially in wet environments. Despite their technological potential, bioadhesive molecular …

Climate change will increase the frequency and intensity of low-salinity (hyposalinity) events
in coastal marine habitats. Sea urchins are dominant herbivores in these habitats and are …

The variation in tenacity of single tube feet from three sea urchin species with contrasted
habitats was assessed and correlated with the ultrastructure of their adhesive secretory …

Sea star tube feet consist of an enlarged and flattened distal extremity (the disc), which
makes contact with the substratum, and a proximal contractile cylinder (the stem), which acts …