Comparative analysis of structure, composition and mechanical properties of cuticular skeletal elements with specific functions in different species of Crustacea

H. Fabritius, A. Ziegler, A.M. Janus, J. Lu, K. Balasundaram, S. Hild, D.Raabe

The structural, compositional and physical properties of the exoskeletal elements of crustaceans are adapted to their function and the ecophysiological strains of the animals. How and on which levels of the structural hierarchy the physical properties are tailored is not yet fully understood. The aim of this project is to use a comparative approach to study the correlation of structure, composition and physical properties of cuticle from selected skeletal elements. We analyzed the carapax and tergites, respectively, as models for load-bearing cuticle, and mandibles, articulations and eye lenses as examples for functionally differentiated cuticle. Our main model organisms are marine decapods (Homarus americanus, Cancer pagurus) and various species of terrestrial isopods.

Fig. 1. Qualitative EDX-mapping of the local distribution of Ca, P and MG and local mechanical properties (table) measured on surfaces cut and polished longitudinally through the incisive edge and molar lobe of mandibles from H. americanus (left) and the incisive edge of C. pagurus (right).
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