New functional insights into the internal architecture of the laminated anchor spicules of Euplectella aspergillum.

ABSTRACT: To adapt to a wide range of physically demanding environmental conditions, biological systems have evolved a diverse variety of robust skeletal architectures. One such example, Euplectella aspergillum, is a sediment-dwelling marine sponge that is anchored into the sea floor by a flexible holdfast apparatus consisting of thousands of anchor spicules (long, hair-like glassy fibers). Each spicule is covered with recurved barbs and has an internal architecture consisting of a solid core of silica surrounded by an assembly of coaxial silica cylinders, each of which is separated by a thin organic layer. The thickness of each silica cylinder progressively decreases from the spicule's core to its periphery, which we hypothesize is an adaptation for redistributing internal stresses, thus increasing

SUBMITTER: Monn MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4413295 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature