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Parallel plications may enhance surface function: physical properties of transparent tunics in colonial ascidians Clavelina cyclus and C. obesa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2019

Daisuke Sakai ,
Hiroshi Kakiuchida ,
Kenji Harada ,
Jun Nishikawa Open the ORCID record for Jun Nishikawa [Opens in a new window]  and
Euichi Hirose Open the ORCID record for Euichi Hirose [Opens in a new window]
Daisuke Sakai
Affiliation:
School of Regional Innovation and Social Design Engineering, Kitami Institute of Technology, Koen-cho, Kitami, Hokkaido 090-8507, Japan
Hiroshi Kakiuchida
Affiliation:
Structural Materials Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Moriyama, Nagoya, Aichi 463-8560, Japan
Kenji Harada
Affiliation:
School of Regional Innovation and Social Design Engineering, Kitami Institute of Technology, Koen-cho, Kitami, Hokkaido 090-8507, Japan
Jun Nishikawa
Affiliation:
Department of Marine Biology, School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University, Orido, Shimizu, Shizuoka 424-8610, Japan
Euichi Hirose*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
*
Author for correspondence: Euichi Hirose, E-mail: euichi@sci.u-ryukyu.ac.jp
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Abstract

An array of nano-scale protrusions, called the nipple array, is found on the body surface of various invertebrates, and this structure is believed to decrease light reflectance and water wettability on the surface in the terrestrial environment. However, its potential functions have not been well studied in aquatic environments. Clavelina spp. are colonial ascidians that have the nipple array on their integumentary matrix (i.e. tunic). We examined the physical properties on the surface of the tunic of C. cyclus and C. obesa, such as hardness, wettability and refractive indices, to evaluate the functional importance of this structure. The tunic cuticle of both species was covered with the nipple array, and the cuticle of C. cyclus was bent into folds forming parallel plications. The Clavelina tunic was very soft and had high bubble- and oil-repellency. The refractive-index deviation between the tunic and seawater was 0.07–0.095 for 589-nm light (D-line). Rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) showed that the nipple array slightly reduced reflectance on the surface and the parallel plications reduced the reflectance still more. The nanoimprinted plates imitating the parallel plications have higher bubble repellency and lower reflectance than the flat plates. These findings support the functional importance of the plications as well as the nipple array.

Keywords

Hardnesslight reflectionnanoimprintingnipple arrayrigorous coupled wave analysisspectroscopic ellipsometryultrastructurewettability
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 99 , Issue 8 , December 2019 , pp. 1831 - 1839
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2019 

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Footnotes

*

Authors contributed equally to this study.

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