Size, strength and allometry of joints in the articulated coralline Calliarthron

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Patrick T Martone

Abstract

Articulated coralline algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) dominate low-intertidal, wave-exposed habitats around the world, yet the mechanics of this diverse group of organisms has been almost completely unexplored. In contrast to fleshy seaweeds, articulated corallines consist of calcified segments (intergenicula) separated by uncalcified joints (genicula). This jointed construction makes calcified fronds as flexible as fleshy seaweeds, allowing them to ;go with the flow' when struck by breaking waves. In addition to functioning as joints, genicula act as breakage points along articulated fronds. Here, I describe the allometric scaling of geniculum size, breaking force and tissue strength along articulated fronds in two species of Calliarthron. Genicular material is much stronger than tissue from fleshy macroalgae. Moreover, as fronds grow, genicula get bigger and their tissue strengthens, two processes that help them resist breakage. Within individual fronds, larger branches, which presumably experience greater drag force, are supported by bigger, stronger genicula. However, frond growth greatly outpaces genicular strengthening. As a result, Calliarthron fronds most likely break at their bases when critically stressed by incoming...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 1, 2008·Integrative and Comparative Biology·M A R KoehlL Mahadevan
May 12, 2011·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Patrick T MartoneThomas Speck
Jan 27, 2009·Current Biology : CB·Patrick T MartoneJohn Ralph
Jun 17, 2016·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Mark W Denny, Felicia A King
Nov 26, 2015·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Kyra Janot, Patrick T Martone
Apr 24, 2012·American Journal of Botany·Patrick T MartoneMichael Boller
Aug 11, 2015·Mitochondrial DNA. Part A. DNA Mapping, Sequencing, and Analysis·Guiqi BiQingwei Du
Sep 27, 2013·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Mark DennyPatrick Martone
Oct 22, 2008·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Patrick T Martone, Mark W Denny
Oct 22, 2008·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Patrick T Martone, Mark W Denny
Jun 19, 2007·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Katharine J MachMark W Denny
Jun 19, 2007·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Katharine J MachDrew V Nelson

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