Dermal Denticles of Three Slowly Swimming Shark Species: Microscopy and Flow Visualization.

ABSTRACT: Shark skin has for many years inspired engineers to produce biomimetic structures reducing surface drag or acting as an anti-fouling layer. Both effects are presumed to be consequences of the structure of shark skin that is composed of arrays of so-called dermal denticles. However, the understanding of the full functional role of the dermal denticles is still a topic of research. We report optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of dermal denticles from three slowly swimming shark species for which the functional role of the dermal denticles is suggested as one of defense (possibly understood as anti-fouling) and/or abrasion strength. The three species are Greenland shark (Somnosius microcephalus), small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) and spiny dogfish (Squalus acanth

SUBMITTER: Feld K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6631580 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature