A diecast mineralization process forms the tough mantis shrimp dactyl club.

ABSTRACT: Biomineralization, the process by which mineralized tissues grow and harden via biogenic mineral deposition, is a relatively lengthy process in many mineral-producing organisms, resulting in challenges to study the growth and biomineralization of complex hard mineralized tissues. Arthropods are ideal model organisms to study biomineralization because they regularly molt their exoskeletons and grow new ones in a relatively fast timescale, providing opportunities to track mineralization of entire tissues. Here, we monitored the biomineralization of the mantis shrimp dactyl club-a model bioapatite-based mineralized structure with exceptional mechanical properties-immediately after ecdysis until the formation of the fully functional club and unveil an unusual development mechanism. A flexible

SUBMITTER: Amini S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6500109 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature