The composition of the mineralized cuticle in marine and terrestrial isopods: A comparative study

Neues, Frank; Ziegler, Andreas; Epple, Matthias

doi:10.1039/b710789g

Cited by 81 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The content of calcium carbonate was computed from the calcium content as w(Ca-CO 3 ) = w(Ca) M(CaCO 3 )/M(Ca). In contrast to our earlier studies on crustacean cuticles (Becker et al, 2005;Boßelmann et al, 2007;Neues et al, 2007), no thermogravimetric data could be recorded due to the small amount of sample. Thus, the amount of ACC was estimated as difference between the total amount of calcium carbonate and the amount of crystalline calcite obtained by Rietveld refinement.…”

Section: X-ray Powder Diffractometrycontrasting

confidence: 49%

“…In particular this aspect is important in isopods that rely on a thick cuticle in avoiding predation by rolling into a sphere (Schmalfuss, 1984). These animals have a higher ACC/calcite ratio and larger calcium stores than those with thinner cuticles, in order to accelerate cuticle mineralization after ecdysis (Becker et al, 2005;Neues et al, 2007;Hild et al, 2008). Resorption of ACC from the cuticle during premoult was also reported for the cuticle of the crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (Shechter et al, 2008).…”

Section: Resorption and Storage Of Accmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…This involves lowering of the mean pH and an increase in the expression of calcium transport mechanisms (Ziegler, 2008(Ziegler, , 2002Ziegler et al, 2004;Hagedorn and Ziegler, 2002). It appears that ACC within the cuticle has at least two functions: (1) spatial modulation of the mechanical properties within the cuticle from distal towards the proximal layers (Neues et al, 2007;Hild et al, 2008) and (2) facilitation of mineral resorption from the posterior and anterior cuticle during the biphasic moult cycle of isopods (present study). The adaptive advantages of the latter are probably the shorter intervals for mineral resorption in pre and intramoult in which the cuticle is not fully mineralized and cannot provide its full support and protective functions.…”

Section: Resorption and Storage Of Accmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The amorphous structure allows a quick dissolution of the deposits since ACC is about 10 times more soluble than calcite (Brecevic and Nielson, 1989). Recent studies on the cuticle of a number of crustaceans has shown that depending on species the cuticle consists of varying amounts of amorphous calcium carbonate, calcite and amorphous calcium phosphate (Al-Sawalmih et al, 2009;Becker et al, 2005;Boßelmann et al, 2007;Neues et al, 2007;Hild et al, 2009;Shechter et al, 2008). This suggests the possibility that ACC is preferentially resorbed from the cuticle over calcite as a result of its high solubility.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Amorphous and crystalline calcium carbonate distribution in the tergite cuticle of moulting Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea)

Neues

Hild

Epple

et al. 2011

Journal of Structural Biology

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a b s t r a c tThe main mineral components of the isopod cuticle consists of crystalline magnesium calcite and amorphous calcium carbonate. During moulting isopods moult first the posterior and then the anterior half of the body. In terrestrial species calcium carbonate is subject to resorption, storage and recycling in order to retain significant fractions of the mineral during the moulting cycle. We used synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, elemental analysis and Raman spectroscopy to quantify the ACC/calcite ratio, the mineral phase distribution and the composition within the anterior and posterior tergite cuticle during eight different stages of the moulting cycle of Porcellio scaber. The results show that most of the amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is resorbed from the cuticle, whereas calcite remains in the old cuticle and is shed during moulting. During premoult resorption of ACC from the posterior cuticle is accompanied by an increase within the anterior tergites, and mineralization of the new posterior cuticle by resorption of mineral from the anterior cuticle. This suggests that one reason for using ACC in cuticle mineralization is to facilitate resorption and recycling of cuticular calcium carbonate. Furthermore we show that ACC precedes the formation of calcite in distal layers of the tergite cuticle.

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Section: X-ray Powder Diffractometrycontrasting

confidence: 49%

Section: Resorption and Storage Of Accmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Resorption and Storage Of Accmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Amorphous and crystalline calcium carbonate distribution in the tergite cuticle of moulting Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea)

Neues

Hild

Epple

et al. 2011

Journal of Structural Biology

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“…They can occur together in the same layers but also be restricted to specific regions of the cuticle (Levi-Kalisman et al, 2002;Al-Sawalmih et al, 2008;Hild et al, 2008). A number of recent studies have correlated the anisotropy in structure, mineral content and composition of cuticle from different crustacean species with evolutionary adaptations to different habitats and defence strategies that impose different mechanical requirements (Boßelmann et al, 2007;Neues et al, 2007;Hild et al, 2009). However, in contrast to other mineralized biological materials like bone (Gupta et al, 2006) little is known about the influence of the local structure and mineralization differences on mechanical properties like stiffness and hardness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlation of structure, composition and local mechanical properties in the dorsal carapace of the edible crab Cancer pagurus

Fabritius¹,

Karsten²,

Balasundaram³

et al. 2012

Zeitschrift Für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials

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Abstract. The exoskeleton of crustaceans is formed by the cuticle, a chitin-protein-based nano-composite with hierarchical organization over at least eight levels. On the molecular level, it consists of chitin associated with proteins forming fibres, which are organized in the form of twisted plywood. On the higher levels, the twisted plywood organization is modified and forms skeletal elements with elaborate functions. The load-bearing parts of crustacean cuticle are reinforced with both crystalline and amorphous biominerals. During evolution, all parts of the exoskeleton were optimized to fulfill different functions according to different ecophysiological strains faced by the animals. This is achieved by modifications in microstructure and chemical composition. In order to understand the relationship between structure, composition, mechanical properties and function we structurally characterized cuticle from the dorsal carapace of the edible crab Cancer pagurus using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The local chemical composition was investigated using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and confocal m-Raman spectroscopy. Nanoindentation tests were performed to study the resulting local mechanical properties. The results show local differences in structure on several levels of the structural hierarchy in combination with a very heterogeneous mineralization. The distal exocuticle is mineralized with calcite, followed by a layer containing a magnesium, phosphate and carbonate rich phase and ACC in the proximal part. The endocuticle contains magnesian calcite and ACC in special regions below the exocuticle. Structure and mineral phase are reflected in the local stiffness and hardness of the respective cuticle regions. The heterogeneity of structural organization and mechanical properties suggests remarkable consequences for the mechanical behaviour of the bulk material.

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Microtexture and Chitin/Calcite Orientation Relationship in the Mineralized Exoskeleton of the American Lobster

Al-Sawalmih

Siegel

et al. 2008

Adv Funct Materials

149

114

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The exoskeleton of the American lobster Homarus americanus is a hierarchical nanocomposite consisting of chitin–protein fibers, reinforced with amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) and a small amount of crystalline calcite. Crystallographic pole‐figure analysis reveals two texture components of the crystalline α‐chitin in the exoskeleton. One component represents the well‐known twisted plywood structure of chitin–protein fibers within the cuticle plane, and the second component represents fibers oriented roughly perpendicular to the cuticle surface. These perpendicular fibers interpenetrate the open canals of the planar honeycomblike structure originating from the well‐developed pore‐canal system present in this material. The calcite crystallites reveal fiber texture with the crystallographic c‐axis oriented perpendicular to the cuticle surface, suggesting an orientation relationship between calcite and the organic chitin–protein fibers. Local orientation analysis using X‐ray microdiffraction reveals that the crystalline calcium carbonate fraction is associated with the chitin–protein fibers oriented perpendicular to the surface. Calcite is exclusively found in the exocuticle and is mostly restricted to a thin layer in the outermost region, while the major part of the exocuticle and the whole endocuticle contain ACC exclusively. It is therefore speculated that the most likely function of calcite in the exoskeleton of the American lobster is related to impact‐ and wear‐resistance.

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The composition of the mineralized cuticle in marine and terrestrial isopods: A comparative study

Cited by 81 publications

References 30 publications

Amorphous and crystalline calcium carbonate distribution in the tergite cuticle of moulting Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea)

Amorphous and crystalline calcium carbonate distribution in the tergite cuticle of moulting Porcellio scaber (Isopoda, Crustacea)

Correlation of structure, composition and local mechanical properties in the dorsal carapace of the edible crab Cancer pagurus

Microtexture and Chitin/Calcite Orientation Relationship in the Mineralized Exoskeleton of the American Lobster

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