Limpet biomechanics: composite material, adhesion, and the homescar as niche construction

Marine biologist here, working on limpet shell sclerochronology. I wrote a piece on limpet biomechanics for the newsletter I run, some here may find it useful.

It covers the usual biomechanics (adhesion, hydrodynamics, composite shell structure), plus the stuff that tends to get less attention: Raup's morphospace and why the limpet cone sits where it does, intertidal drag/lift , and the homescar as a case study in niche construction.

It's the ep. 2 of a series of writings on limpets, but it reads as a standalone. Happy to discuss, especially on the sclerochronology and/or intertidal ecology (which I'm more familiar with)