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Chua JQI, Christensen TEK, Palle J, Wittig NK, Grünewald TA, Garrevoet J, Spiers KM, Castillo-Michel H, Schramm A, Chien WL, Sobota RM, Birkedal H, Miserez A. Biomineralization of mantis shrimp dactyl club following molting: Apatite formation and brominated organic components. Acta Biomater 2023; 170:479-495. [PMID: 37659728 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.08.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
The stomatopod Odontodactylus scyllarus uses weaponized club-like appendages to attack its prey. These clubs are made of apatite, chitin, amorphous calcium carbonate, and amorphous calcium phosphate organized in a highly hierarchical structure with multiple regions and layers. We follow the development of the biomineralized club as a function of time using clubs harvested at specific times since molting. The clubs are investigated using a broad suite of techniques to unravel the biomineralization history of the clubs. Nano focus synchrotron x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence experiments reveal that the club structure is more organized with more sub-regions than previously thought. The recently discovered impact surface has crystallites in a different size and orientation than those in the impact region. The crystal unit cell parameters vary to a large degree across individual samples, which indicates a spatial variation in the degree of chemical substitution. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy show that this variation cannot be explained by carbonation and fluoridation of the lattice alone. X-ray fluorescence and mass spectroscopy show that the impact surface is coated with a thin membrane rich in bromine that forms at very initial stages of club formation. Proteomic studies show that a fraction of the club mineralization protein-1 has brominated tyrosine suggesting that bromination of club proteins at the club surface is an integral component of the club design. Taken together, the data unravel the spatio-temporal changes in biomineral structure during club formation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Mantis shrimp hunt using club-like appendages that contain apatite, chitin, amorphous calcium carbonate, and amorphous calcium phosphate ordered in a highly hierarchical structure. To understand the formation process of the club we analyze clubs harvested at specific times since molting thereby constructing a club formation map. By combining several methods ranging from position resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction to proteomics, we reveal that clubs form from an organic membrane with brominated protein and that crystalline apatite phases are present from the very onset of club formation and grow in relative importance over time. This reveals a complex biomineralization process leading to these fascinating biomineralized tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Qing Isaiah Chua
- Biological and Biomimetic Materials Laboratory, Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Thorbjørn Erik Køppen Christensen
- Center for Integrated Materials Research, Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Jonas Palle
- Center for Integrated Materials Research, Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nina Kølln Wittig
- Center for Integrated Materials Research, Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tilman A Grünewald
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Avenue des Martyrs 71, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Jan Garrevoet
- Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kathryn M Spiers
- Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron DESY, Notkestr. 85, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hiram Castillo-Michel
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Avenue des Martyrs 71, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Andreas Schramm
- Department of Biology, Section for Microbiology and Center for Electromicrobiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, DK-8000, Denmark
| | - Wang Loo Chien
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Radoslaw M Sobota
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Henrik Birkedal
- Center for Integrated Materials Research, Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Ali Miserez
- Biological and Biomimetic Materials Laboratory, Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore; School of Biological Sciences, NTU, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
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Evans KM, Larouche O, Gartner SM, Faucher RE, Dee SG, Westneat MW. Beaks promote rapid morphological diversification along distinct evolutionary trajectories in labrid fishes (Eupercaria: Labridae). Evolution 2023; 77:2000-2014. [PMID: 37345732 DOI: 10.1093/evolut/qpad115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
The upper and lower jaws of some wrasses (Eupercaria: Labridae) possess teeth that have been coalesced into a strong durable beak that they use to graze on hard coral skeletons, hard-shelled prey, and algae, allowing many of these species to function as important ecosystem engineers in their respective marine habitats. While the ecological impact of the beak is well understood, questions remain about its evolutionary history and the effects of this innovation on the downstream patterns of morphological evolution. Here we analyze 3D cranial shape data in a phylogenetic comparative framework and use paleoclimate modeling to reconstruct the evolution of the labrid beak across 205 species. We find that wrasses evolved beaks three times independently, once within odacines and twice within parrotfishes in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. We find an increase in the rate of shape evolution in the Scarus+Chlorurus+Hipposcarus (SCH) clade of parrotfishes likely driven by the evolution of the intramandibular joint. Paleoclimate modeling shows that the SCH clade of parrotfishes rapidly morphologically diversified during the middle Miocene. We hypothesize that possession of a beak in the SCH clade coupled with favorable environmental conditions allowed these species to rapidly morphologically diversify.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kory M Evans
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Olivier Larouche
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Samantha M Gartner
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Rose E Faucher
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sylvia G Dee
- Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mark W Westneat
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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3
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Christensen TEK, Chua JQI, Wittig NK, Jørgensen MRV, Kantor I, Thomsen JS, Miserez A, Birkedal H. Flexible design in the stomatopod dactyl club. IUCRJ 2023; 10:288-296. [PMID: 36912686 PMCID: PMC10161772 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252523002075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The stomatopod is a fascinating animal that uses its weaponized appendage dactyl clubs for breaking mollusc shells. Dactyl clubs are a well studied example of biomineralized hierarchical structures. Most research has focused on the regions close to the action, namely the impact region and surface composed of chitin and apatite crystallites. Further away from the site of impact, the club has lower mineralization and more amorphous phases; these areas have not been as actively studied as their highly mineralized counterparts. This work focuses on the side of the club, in what is known as the periodic and striated regions. A combination of laboratory micro-computed tomography, synchrotron X-ray diffraction mapping and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence mapping has shown that the mineral in this region undergoes the transition from an amorphous to a crystalline phase in some, but not all, clubs. This means that this side region can be mineralized by either an amorphous phase, calcite crystallites or a mixture of both. It was found that when larger calcite crystallites form, they are organized (textured) with respect to the chitin present in this biocomposite. This suggests that chitin may serve as a template for crystallization when the side of the club is fully mineralized. Further, calcite crystallites were found to form as early as 1 week after moulting of the club. This suggests that the side of the club is designed with a significant safety margin that allows for a variety of phases, i.e. the club can function independently of whether the side region has a crystalline or amorphous mineral phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorbjørn Erik Køppen Christensen
- Center for Integrated Materials Research (iMAT), Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, 14 Gustav Wieds Vej, Aarhus C. 8000, Denmark
| | - Jia Qing Isaiah Chua
- Biological and Biomimetic Materials Laboratory, Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Nina Kølln Wittig
- Center for Integrated Materials Research (iMAT), Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, 14 Gustav Wieds Vej, Aarhus C. 8000, Denmark
| | - Mads Ry Vogel Jørgensen
- Center for Integrated Materials Research (iMAT), Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, 14 Gustav Wieds Vej, Aarhus C. 8000, Denmark
| | | | - Jesper Skovhus Thomsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 3, Aarhus C. 8000, Denmark
| | - Ali Miserez
- Biological and Biomimetic Materials Laboratory, Center for Sustainable Materials (SusMat), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Henrik Birkedal
- Center for Integrated Materials Research (iMAT), Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, 14 Gustav Wieds Vej, Aarhus C. 8000, Denmark
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Fernández MP, Schwiedrzik J, Bürki A, Peyrin F, Michler J, Zysset PK, Wolfram U. In situ synchrotron radiation μCT indentation of cortical bone: Anisotropic crack propagation, local deformation, and fracture. Acta Biomater 2023:S1742-7061(23)00237-4. [PMID: 37127075 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The development of treatment strategies for skeletal diseases relies on the understanding of bone mechanical properties in relation to its structure at different length scales. At the microscale, indention techniques can be used to evaluate the elastic, plastic, and fracture behaviour of bone tissue. Here, we combined in situ high-resolution SRμCT indentation testing and digital volume correlation to elucidate the anisotropic crack propagation, deformation, and fracture of ovine cortical bone under Berkovich and spherical tips. Independently of the indenter type we observed significant dependence of the crack development due to the anisotropy ahead of the tip, with lower strains and smaller crack systems developing in samples indented in the transverse material direction, where the fibrillar bone ultrastructure is largely aligned perpendicular to the indentation direction. Such alignment allows to accommodate the strain energy, inhibiting crack propagation. Higher tensile hoop strains generally correlated with regions that display significant cracking radial to the indenter, indicating a predominant Mode I fracture. This was confirmed by the three-dimensional analysis of crack opening displacements and stress intensity factors along the crack front obtained for the first time from full displacement fields in bone tissue. The X-ray beam significantly influenced the relaxation behaviour independent of the tip. Raman analyses did not show significant changes in specimen composition after irradiation compared to non-irradiated tissue, suggesting an embrittlement process that may be linked to damage of the non-fibrillar organic matrix. This study highlights the importance of three-dimensional investigation of bone deformation and fracture behaviour to explore the mechanisms of bone failure in relation to structural changes due to aging or disease. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: : Characterising the three-dimensional deformation and fracture behaviour of bone remains essential to decipher the interplay between structure, function, and composition with the aim to improve fracture prevention strategies. The experimental methodology presented here, combining high-resolution imaging, indentation testing and digital volume correlation, allows us to quantify the local deformation, crack propagation, and fracture modes of cortical bone tissue. Our results highlight the anisotropic behaviour of osteonal bone and the complex crack propagation patterns and fracture modes initiating by the intricate stress states beneath the indenter tip. This is of wide interest not only for the understanding of bone fracture but also to understand other architectured (bio)structures providing an effective way to quantify their toughening mechanisms in relation to their main mechanical function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Peña Fernández
- School of Engineering and Physical Science, Institute for Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jakob Schwiedrzik
- EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures, Thun, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Bürki
- ARTORG Centre for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Françoise Peyrin
- Université de Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UJM-Saint Etienne, CNRS UMR 5220, Inserm U1294, CREATIS, Lyon, France
| | - Johann Michler
- EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures, Thun, Switzerland
| | - Philippe K Zysset
- ARTORG Centre for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Wolfram
- School of Engineering and Physical Science, Institute for Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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Besnard C, Marie A, Sasidharan S, Harper RA, Shelton RM, Landini G, Korsunsky AM. Synchrotron X-ray Studies of the Structural and Functional Hierarchies in Mineralised Human Dental Enamel: A State-of-the-Art Review. Dent J (Basel) 2023; 11:98. [PMID: 37185477 PMCID: PMC10137518 DOI: 10.3390/dj11040098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Hard dental tissues possess a complex hierarchical structure that is particularly evident in enamel, the most mineralised substance in the human body. Its complex and interlinked organisation at the Ångstrom (crystal lattice), nano-, micro-, and macro-scales is the result of evolutionary optimisation for mechanical and functional performance: hardness and stiffness, fracture toughness, thermal, and chemical resistance. Understanding the physical-chemical-structural relationships at each scale requires the application of appropriately sensitive and resolving probes. Synchrotron X-ray techniques offer the possibility to progress significantly beyond the capabilities of conventional laboratory instruments, i.e., X-ray diffractometers, and electron and atomic force microscopes. The last few decades have witnessed the accumulation of results obtained from X-ray scattering (diffraction), spectroscopy (including polarisation analysis), and imaging (including ptychography and tomography). The current article presents a multi-disciplinary review of nearly 40 years of discoveries and advancements, primarily pertaining to the study of enamel and its demineralisation (caries), but also linked to the investigations of other mineralised tissues such as dentine, bone, etc. The modelling approaches informed by these observations are also overviewed. The strategic aim of the present review was to identify and evaluate prospective avenues for analysing dental tissues and developing treatments and prophylaxis for improved dental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Besnard
- MBLEM, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Ali Marie
- MBLEM, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Sisini Sasidharan
- MBLEM, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Robert A. Harper
- School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, 5 Mill Pool Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7EG, West Midlands, UK
| | - Richard M. Shelton
- School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, 5 Mill Pool Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7EG, West Midlands, UK
| | - Gabriel Landini
- School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, 5 Mill Pool Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7EG, West Midlands, UK
| | - Alexander M. Korsunsky
- MBLEM, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, Oxfordshire, UK
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6
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Lew AJ, Stifler CA, Tits A, Schmidt CA, Scholl A, Cantamessa A, Müller L, Delaunois Y, Compère P, Ruffoni D, Buehler MJ, Gilbert PUPA. A Molecular-Scale Understanding of Misorientation Toughening in Corals and Seashells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2300373. [PMID: 36864010 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Biominerals are organic-mineral composites formed by living organisms. They are the hardest and toughest tissues in those organisms, are often polycrystalline, and their mesostructure (which includes nano- and microscale crystallite size, shape, arrangement, and orientation) can vary dramatically. Marine biominerals may be aragonite, vaterite, or calcite, all calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ) polymorphs, differing in crystal structure. Unexpectedly, diverse CaCO3 biominerals such as coral skeletons and nacre share a similar characteristic: Adjacent crystals are slightly misoriented. This observation is documented quantitatively at the micro- and nanoscales, using polarization-dependent imaging contrast mapping (PIC mapping), and the slight misorientations is consistently between 1° and 40°. Nanoindentation shows that both polycrystalline biominerals and abiotic synthetic spherulites are tougher than single-crystalline geologic aragonite, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of bicrystals at the molecular scale reveals that aragonite, vaterite, and calcite exhibit toughness maxima when the bicrystals are misoriented by 10°, 20°, and 30°, respectively, demonstrating that slight misorientation alone can increase fracture toughness. Slight-misorientation-toughening can be harnessed for synthesis of bioinspired materials that only require one material, are not limited to specific top-down architecture, and are easily achieved by self-assembly of organic molecules (e.g., aspirin, chocolate), polymers, metals, and ceramics well beyond biominerals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Lew
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Cayla A Stifler
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Alexandra Tits
- Mechanics of Biological and Bioinspired Materials Laboratory, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Liège, Liège, B-4000, Belgium
| | - Connor A Schmidt
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Andreas Scholl
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Astrid Cantamessa
- Mechanics of Biological and Bioinspired Materials Laboratory, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Liège, Liège, B-4000, Belgium
| | - Laura Müller
- Mechanics of Biological and Bioinspired Materials Laboratory, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Liège, Liège, B-4000, Belgium
| | - Yann Delaunois
- Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology (FOCUS Research Unit) and Center for Applied Research and Education in Microscopy (CAREM), University of Liège, Liège, B-4000, Belgium
| | - Philippe Compère
- Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology (FOCUS Research Unit) and Center for Applied Research and Education in Microscopy (CAREM), University of Liège, Liège, B-4000, Belgium
| | - Davide Ruffoni
- Mechanics of Biological and Bioinspired Materials Laboratory, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Liège, Liège, B-4000, Belgium
| | - Markus J Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Pupa U P A Gilbert
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Departments of Materials Science and Engineering, Geoscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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7
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Wang D, Han S, Yang M. Tooth Diversity Underpins Future Biomimetic Replications. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:biomimetics8010042. [PMID: 36810373 PMCID: PMC9944091 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the evolution of tooth structure seems highly conserved, remarkable diversity exists among species due to different living environments and survival requirements. Along with the conservation, this diversity of evolution allows for the optimized structures and functions of teeth under various service conditions, providing valuable resources for the rational design of biomimetic materials. In this review, we survey the current knowledge about teeth from representative mammals and aquatic animals, including human teeth, herbivore and carnivore teeth, shark teeth, calcite teeth in sea urchins, magnetite teeth in chitons, and transparent teeth in dragonfish, to name a few. The highlight of tooth diversity in terms of compositions, structures, properties, and functions may stimulate further efforts in the synthesis of tooth-inspired materials with enhanced mechanical performance and broader property sets. The state-of-the-art syntheses of enamel mimetics and their properties are briefly covered. We envision that future development in this field will need to take the advantage of both conservation and diversity of teeth. Our own view on the opportunities and key challenges in this pathway is presented with a focus on the hierarchical and gradient structures, multifunctional design, and precise and scalable synthesis.
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Deng Z, Chen L, Li L. Comparative nanoindentation study of biogenic and geological calcite. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023; 137:105538. [PMID: 36343519 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Biogenic minerals are often reported to be harder and tougher than their geological counterparts. However, quantitative comparison of their mechanical properties, particularly fracture toughness, is still limited. Here we provide a systematic comparison of geological and biogenic calcite (mollusk shell Atrina rigida prisms and Placuna placenta laths) through nanoindentation under both dry and 90% relative humidity conditions. Berkovich nanoindentation is used to reveal the mechanical anisotropy of geological calcite when loaded on different crystallographic planes, i.e., reduced modulus Er{104} ≥ Er{108} > Er{001} and hardness H{001} ≥ H{104} ≥ H{108}, and biogenic calcite has comparable modulus but increased hardness than geological calcite. Based on conical nanoindentation, we elucidate that plastic deformation is activated in geological calcite at the low-load regime (<20 mN), involving r{104} and f{012} dislocation slips as well as e{018} twinning, while cleavage fracture dominates under higher loads by cracking along {104} planes. In comparison, biogenic calcite tends to undergo fracture, while the intercrystalline organic interfaces contribute to damage confinement. In addition, increased humidity does not show a significant influence on the properties of geological calcite and the single-crystal A. rigida prisms, however, the laminate composite of P. placenta laths (layer thickness, ∼250-300 nm) exhibits increased toughness and decreased hardness and modulus. We believe the results of this study can provide a benchmark for future investigations on biominerals and bio-inspired materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifei Deng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute of Technology and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Liuni Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute of Technology and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute of Technology and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA.
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Moynihan MA, Amini S, Oalmann J, Chua JQI, Tanzil JTI, Fan TY, Miserez A, Goodkin NF. Crystal orientation mapping and microindentation reveal anisotropy in Porites skeletons. Acta Biomater 2022; 151:446-456. [PMID: 35963519 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Structures made by scleractinian corals support diverse ocean ecosystems. Despite the importance of coral skeletons and their predicted vulnerability to climate change, few studies have examined the mechanical and crystallographic properties of coral skeletons at the micro- and nano-scales. Here, we investigated the interplay of crystallographic and microarchitectural organization with mechanical anisotropy within Porites skeletons by measuring Young's modulus and hardness along surfaces transverse and longitudinal to the primary coral growth direction. We observed micro-scale anisotropy, where the transverse surface had greater Young's modulus and hardness by ∼ 6 GPa and 0.2 GPa, respectively. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) revealed that this surface also had a higher percentage of crystals oriented with the a-axis between ± 30-60∘, relative to the longitudinal surface, and a broader grain size distribution. Within a region containing a sharp microscale gradient in Young's modulus, nanoscale indentation mapping, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), EBSD, and Raman crystallography were performed. A correlative trend showed higher Young's modulus and hardness in regions with individual crystal bases (c-axis) facing upward, and in crystal fibers relative to centers of calcification. These relationships highlight the difference in mechanical properties between scales (i.e. crystals, crystal bundles, grains). Observations of crystal orientation and mechanical properties suggest that anisotropy is driven by microscale organization and crystal packing, rather than intrinsic crystal anisotropy. In comparison with previous observations of nanoscale isotropy in corals, our results illustrate the role of hierarchical architecture in coral skeletons and the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on mechanical properties at different scales. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Coral biomineralization and the ability of corals' skeletal structure to withstand biotic and abiotic forces underpins the success of reef ecosystems. At the microscale, we show increased skeletal stiffness and hardness perpendicular to the coral growth direction. By comparing nano- and micro-scale indentation results, we also reveal an effect of hierarchical architecture on the mechanical properties of coral skeletons and hypothesize that crystal packing and orientation result in microscale anisotropy. In contrast to previous findings, we demonstrate that mechanical and crystallographic properties of coral skeletons can vary between surface planes, within surface planes, and at different analytical scales. These results improve our understanding of biomineralization and the effects of scale and direction on how biomineral structures respond to environmental stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly A Moynihan
- Earth Observatory of Singapore, Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
| | - Shahrouz Amini
- Center for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Biomaterials, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jeffrey Oalmann
- Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - J Q Isaiah Chua
- Center for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jani T I Tanzil
- Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; St. John's Island National Marine Laboratory, Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, 18 Kent Ridge Road, 119227, Singapore
| | - T Y Fan
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Ali Miserez
- Center for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nathalie F Goodkin
- Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
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Li T, Yongfeng L, Ruiqi L, Mingyue Z, Xiaofeng H. Development and structural characteristics of pseudoosteodentine in the Pacific cutlassfish, Trichiurus lepturus. Tissue Cell 2022; 77:101847. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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11
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Deng Z, Jia Z, Li L. Biomineralized Materials as Model Systems for Structural Composites: Intracrystalline Structural Features and Their Strengthening and Toughening Mechanisms. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2103524. [PMID: 35315243 PMCID: PMC9108615 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202103524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Biomineralized composites, which are usually composed of microscopic mineral building blocks organized in 3D intercrystalline organic matrices, have evolved unique structural designs to fulfill mechanical and other biological functionalities. While it has been well recognized that the intricate architectural designs of biomineralized composites contribute to their remarkable mechanical performance, the structural features within and corresponding mechanical properties of individual mineral building blocks are often less appreciated in the context of bio-inspired structural composites. The mineral building blocks in biomineralized composites exhibit a variety of salient intracrystalline structural features, such as, organic inclusions, inorganic impurities (or trace elements), crystalline features (e.g., amorphous phases, single crystals, splitting crystals, polycrystals, and nanograins), residual stress/strain, and twinning, which significantly modify the mechanical properties of biogenic minerals. In this review, recent progress in elucidating the intracrystalline structural features of three most common biomineral systems (calcite, aragonite, and hydroxyapatite) and their corresponding mechanical significance are discussed. Future research directions and corresponding challenges are proposed and discussed, such as the advanced structural characterizations and formation mechanisms of intracrystalline structures in biominerals, amorphous biominerals, and bio-inspired synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifei Deng
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringVirginia Polytechnic Institute of Technology and State UniversityBlacksburgVA24060USA
| | - Zian Jia
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringVirginia Polytechnic Institute of Technology and State UniversityBlacksburgVA24060USA
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringVirginia Polytechnic Institute of Technology and State UniversityBlacksburgVA24060USA
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12
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Leung JYS, Nagelkerken I, Pistevos JCA, Xie Z, Zhang S, Connell SD. Shark teeth can resist ocean acidification. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:2286-2295. [PMID: 35023266 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ocean acidification can cause dissolution of calcium carbonate minerals in biological structures of many marine organisms, which can be exacerbated by warming. However, it is still unclear whether this also affects organisms that have body parts made of calcium phosphate minerals (e.g. shark teeth), which may also be impacted by the 'corrosive' effect of acidified seawater. Thus, we examined the effect of ocean acidification and warming on the mechanical properties of shark teeth (Port Jackson shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni), and assessed whether their mineralogical properties can be modified in response to predicted near-future seawater pH (-0.3 units) and temperature (+3°C) changes. We found that warming resulted in the production of more brittle teeth (higher elastic modulus and lower mechanical resilience) that were more vulnerable to physical damage. Yet, when combined with ocean acidification, the durability of teeth increased (i.e. less prone to physical damage due to the production of more elastic teeth) so that they did not differ from those raised under ambient conditions. The teeth were chiefly made of fluorapatite (Ca5 (PO4 )3 F), with increased fluoride content under ocean acidification that was associated with increased crystallinity. The increased precipitation of this highly insoluble mineral under ocean acidification suggests that the sharks could modulate and enhance biomineralization to produce teeth which are more resistant to corrosion. This adaptive mineralogical adjustment could allow some shark species to maintain durability and functionality of their teeth, which underpins a fundamental component of predation and sustenance of the trophic dynamics of future oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Y S Leung
- Centre for Advanced Thin Films and Devices, School of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ivan Nagelkerken
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jennifer C A Pistevos
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- PSL Research University EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Zonghan Xie
- School of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sam Zhang
- Centre for Advanced Thin Films and Devices, School of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Sean D Connell
- Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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13
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Matsui K, Kimura Y. A “Mammalian-like” Pycnodont Fish: Independent Acquisition of Thecodont Implantation, True Vertical Replacement, and Carnassial Dentitions in Carnivorous Mammals and a Peculiar Group of Pycnodont Fish. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020250. [PMID: 35207537 PMCID: PMC8878644 DOI: 10.3390/life12020250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrates developed tooth replacement over 400 million years ago. Then, 200 million years later, the combination of vertical tooth replacement with the thecodont implantation (teeth in bone sockets) appeared a key morphological innovation in mammalian evolution. However, we discovered that an extinct fish taxon, Serrasalmimus secans, showed the same innovation in the lineage Serrasalmimidae, which survived the end Cretaceous mass extinction event. The carnassial teeth are known in both mammals and pycnodont fish, but these teeth do not share the same tissues or developmental processes. Therefore, this serrasalmimid pycnodont fish might have independently acquired mammal-like tooth replacement and implantation, indicating that the fish and mammals convergently evolved the carnassial dental morphologies at about the same time, approximately 60 My ago, in separate ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumiko Matsui
- Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20001, USA;
- The Kyushu University Museum, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuri Kimura
- Department of Geology and Paleontology, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba 305-0005, Ibaraki, Japan
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, ICTA-ICP, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici Z. Carrer de les Columnes, s/n, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
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14
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Zhao H, Liu S, Wei Y, Yue Y, Gao M, Li Y, Zeng X, Deng X, Kotov NA, Guo L, Jiang L. Multiscale engineered artificial tooth enamel. Science 2022; 375:551-556. [PMID: 35113708 DOI: 10.1126/science.abj3343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tooth enamel, renowned for its high stiffness, hardness, and viscoelasticity, is an ideal model for designing biomimetic materials, but accurate replication of complex hierarchical organization of high-performance biomaterials in scalable abiological composites is challenging. We engineered an enamel analog with the essential hierarchical structure at multiple scales through assembly of amorphous intergranular phase (AIP)-coated hydroxyapatite nanowires intertwined with polyvinyl alcohol. The nanocomposite simultaneously exhibited high stiffness, hardness, strength, viscoelasticity, and toughness, exceeding the properties of enamel and previously manufactured bulk enamel-inspired materials. The presence of AIP, polymer confinement, and strong interfacial adhesion are all needed for high mechanical performance. This multiscale design is suitable for scalable production of high-performance materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hewei Zhao
- School of Chemistry, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shaojia Liu
- School of Chemistry, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yan Wei
- Department of Geriatric Dentistry, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yonghai Yue
- School of Chemistry, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Mingrui Gao
- School of Chemistry, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yangbei Li
- School of Chemistry, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiaolong Zeng
- School of Chemistry, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xuliang Deng
- Department of Geriatric Dentistry, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Nicholas A Kotov
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials Science, Biointerface Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.,Michigan Institute of Translational Nanotechnology (MITRAN), Ypsilanti, MI 48198, USA
| | - Lin Guo
- School of Chemistry, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- School of Chemistry, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Materials and Interfacial Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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15
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Black Drum Fish Teeth: Built for Crushing Mollusk Shells. Acta Biomater 2022; 137:147-161. [PMID: 34673226 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
With an exclusive diet of hard-shelled mollusks, the black drum fish (Pogonias cromis) exhibits one of the highest bite forces among extant animals. Here we present a systematic microstructural, chemical, crystallographic, and mechanical analysis of the black drum teeth to understand the structural basis for achieving the molluscivorous requirements. At the material level, the outermost enameloid shows higher modulus (Er = 126.9 ± 16.3 GPa, H = 5.0 ± 1.4 GPa) than other reported fish teeth, which is attributed to the stiffening effect of Zn and F doping in apatite crystals and the preferential co-alignment of crystallographic c-axes and enameloid rods along the biting direction. The high fracture toughness (Kc = 1.12 MPa⋅m1/2) of the outer enameloid also promotes local yielding instead of fracture during crushing contact with mollusk shells. At the individual-tooth scale, the molar-like teeth, high density of dentin tubules, enlarged pulp chamber, and specialized dentin-bone connection, all contribute to the functional requirements, including confinement of contact compressive stress in the stiff enameloid, enhanced energy absorption in the compliant dentin, and controlled failure of tooth-bone composite under excessive loads. These results show that the multi-scale structures of black drum teeth are adapted to feed on hard-shelled mollusks. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The black drum fish feeds on hard-shelled mollusks, which requires strong, tough, and wear-resistant teeth. This study presents a comprehensive multiscale material and mechanical analysis of the black drum teeth in achieving such remarkable biological function. At microscale, the fluoride- and zinc-doped apatite crystallites in the outer enameloid region are aligned perpendicular to the chewing surface, representing one of the stiffest biomineralized materials found in nature. In the inner enameloid region, the apatite crystals are arranged into intertwisted rods with crystallographic misorientation for increased crack resistance and toughness. At the macroscale, the molariform geometry, the two-layer design based on the outer enameloid and inner dentin, enlarged pulp chamber and the underlying strong bony toothplate work synergistically to contribute to the teeth's crushing resistance.
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16
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Stifler CA, Jakes JE, North JD, Green DR, Weaver JC, Gilbert PUPA. Crystal misorientation correlates with hardness in tooth enamels. Acta Biomater 2021; 120:124-134. [PMID: 32711081 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The multi-scale hierarchical structure of tooth enamel enables it to withstand a lifetime of damage without catastrophic failure. While many previous studies have investigated structure-function relationships in enamel, the effects of crystal misorientation on mechanical performance have not been assessed. To address this issue, in the present study, we review previously published polarization-dependent imaging contrast (PIC) maps of mouse and human enamel, and parrotfish enameloid, in which crystal orientations were measured and displayed in every 60-nm-pixel. By combining those previous results with the PIC maps of sheep enamel presented here we discovered that, in all enamel(oid)s, adjacent crystals are slightly misoriented, with misorientation angles in the 0°-30° range, and mean 2°-8°. Within this limited range, misorientation is positively correlated with literature hardness values, demonstrating an important structure-property relation, not previously identified. At greater misorientation angles 8°30°, this correlation is expected to reverse direction, but data from different non-enamel systems, with more diverse crystal misorientations, are required to determine if and where this occurs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We identify a structure-function relationship in tooth enamels from different species: crystal misorientation correlates with hardness, contributing to the remarkable mechanical properties of enamel in diverse animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cayla A Stifler
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States
| | - Joseph E Jakes
- Forest Biopolymers Science and Engineering, USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI 53726, United States
| | - Jamie D North
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton College, Northfield, MN 55057, United States
| | - Daniel R Green
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
| | - James C Weaver
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States
| | - Pupa U P A Gilbert
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States; Departments of Chemistry, Geoscience, Materials Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, United States.
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17
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Sun CY, Gránásy L, Stifler CA, Zaquin T, Chopdekar RV, Tamura N, Weaver JC, Zhang JAY, Goffredo S, Falini G, Marcus MA, Pusztai T, Schoeppler V, Mass T, Gilbert PUPA. Crystal nucleation and growth of spherulites demonstrated by coral skeletons and phase-field simulations. Acta Biomater 2021; 120:277-292. [PMID: 32590171 PMCID: PMC7116570 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Spherulites are radial distributions of acicular crystals, common in biogenic, geologic, and synthetic systems, yet exactly how spherulitic crystals nucleate and grow is still poorly understood. To investigate these processes in more detail, we chose scleractinian corals as a model system, because they are well known to form their skeletons from aragonite (CaCO3) spherulites, and because a comparative study of crystal structures across coral species has not been performed previously. We observed that all 12 diverse coral species analyzed here exhibit plumose spherulites in their skeletons, with well-defined centers of calcification (CoCs), and crystalline fibers radiating from them. In 7 of the 12 species, we observed a skeletal structural motif not observed previously: randomly oriented, equant crystals, which we termed "sprinkles". In Acropora pharaonis, these sprinkles are localized at the CoCs, while in 6 other species, sprinkles are either layered at the growth front (GF) of the spherulites, or randomly distributed. At the nano- and micro-scale, coral skeletons fill space as much as single crystals of aragonite. Based on these observations, we tentatively propose a spherulite formation mechanism in which growth front nucleation (GFN) of randomly oriented sprinkles, competition for space, and coarsening produce spherulites, rather than the previously assumed slightly misoriented nucleations termed "non-crystallographic branching". Phase-field simulations support this mechanism, and, using a minimal set of thermodynamic parameters, are able to reproduce all of the microstructural variation observed experimentally in all of the investigated coral skeletons. Beyond coral skeletons, other spherulitic systems, from aspirin to semicrystalline polymers and chocolate, may also form according to the mechanism for spherulite formation proposed here. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of spherulite nucleation and growth has broad ranging applications in the fields of metallurgy, polymers, food science, and pharmaceutical production. Using the skeletons of reef-building corals as a model system for investigating these processes, we propose a new spherulite growth mechanism that can not only explain the micro-structural diversity observed in distantly related coral species, but may point to a universal growth mechanism in a wide range of biologically and technologically relevant spherulitic materials systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Yu Sun
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Materials Science Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - László Gránásy
- Institute for Solid State Physics and Optics, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, PO Box 49, 1525 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Cayla A Stifler
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Tal Zaquin
- University of Haifa, Marine Biology Department, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel
| | - Rajesh V Chopdekar
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Nobumichi Tamura
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - James C Weaver
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Jun A Y Zhang
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Stefano Goffredo
- Marine Science Group, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, I-40126 Bologna, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, viale Adriatico 1/N, 61032 Fano, Pesaro Urbino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Falini
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, viale Adriatico 1/N, 61032 Fano, Pesaro Urbino, Italy
| | - Matthew A Marcus
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Tamás Pusztai
- Institute for Solid State Physics and Optics, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, PO Box 49, 1525 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vanessa Schoeppler
- B CUBE-Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Tali Mass
- University of Haifa, Marine Biology Department, Mt. Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel
| | - Pupa U P A Gilbert
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Departments of Chemistry, Geoscience, Materials Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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18
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Shape-preserving erosion controlled by the graded microarchitecture of shark tooth enameloid. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5971. [PMID: 33235202 PMCID: PMC7686312 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19739-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The teeth of all vertebrates predominantly comprise the same materials, but their lifespans vary widely: in stark contrast to mammals, shark teeth are functional only for weeks, rather than decades, making lifelong durability largely irrelevant. However, their diets are diverse and often mechanically demanding, and as such, their teeth should maintain a functional morphology, even in the face of extremely high and potentially damaging contact stresses. Here, we reconcile the dilemma between the need for an operative tooth geometry and the unavoidable damage inherent to feeding on hard foods, demonstrating that the tooth cusps of Port Jackson sharks, hard-shelled prey specialists, possess unusual microarchitecture that controls tooth erosion in a way that maintains functional cusp shape. The graded architecture in the enameloid provokes a location-specific damage response, combining chipping of outer enameloid and smooth wear of inner enameloid to preserve an efficient shape for grasping hard prey. Our discovery provides experimental support for the dominant theory that multi-layered tooth enameloid facilitated evolutionary diversification of shark ecologies. Shark teeth have short lifespans yet can be subject to significant mechanical damage. Here, the authors report on a site-specific damage mechanism in shark teeth enameloid, which maintains tooth functional shape, providing experimental evidence that tooth architecture may have influenced the diversification of shark ecologies over evolution.
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19
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Cohen KE, Weller HI, Westneat MW, Summers AP. The Evolutionary Continuum of Functional Homodonty to Heterodonty in the Dentition of Halichoeres Wrasses. Integr Comp Biol 2020; 63:icaa137. [PMID: 32970795 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icaa137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate dentitions are often collapsed into a few discrete categories, obscuring both potentially important functional differences between them and insight into their evolution. The terms homodonty and heterodonty typically conflate tooth morphology with tooth function, and require context-dependent subcategories to take on any specific meaning. Qualifiers like incipient, transient, or phylogenetic homodonty attempt to provide a more rigorous definition but instead highlight the difficulties in categorizing dentitions. To address these issues, we recently proposed a method for quantifying the function of dental batteries based on the estimated stress of each tooth (inferred using surface area) standardized for jaw out-lever (inferred using tooth position). This method reveals a homodonty-heterodonty functional continuum where small and large teeth work together to transmit forces to a prey item. Morphological homodonty or heterodonty refers to morphology, whereas functional homodonty or heterodonty refers to transmission of stress. In this study, we use Halichoeres wrasses to explore how functional continuum can be used in phylogenetic analyses by generating two continuous metrics from the functional homodonty-heterodonty continuum. Here we show that functionally heterodont teeth have evolved at least three times in Halichoeres wrasses. There are more functionally heterodont teeth on upper jaws than on lower jaws, but functionally heterodont teeth on the lower jaws bear significantly more stress. These nuances, which have functional consequences, would be missed by binning entire dentitions into discrete categories. This analysis points out areas worth taking a closer look at from a mechanical and developmental point of view with respect to the distribution and type of heterodonty seen in different jaws and different areas of jaws. These data, on a small group of wrasses, suggest continuous dental variables can be a rich source of insight into the evolution of fish feeding mechanisms across a wider variety of species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karly E Cohen
- University of Washington, Biology Department Seattle, WA
- University of Washington Friday Harbor, Labs Friday Harbor, WA
| | - Hannah I Weller
- Brown University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Providence, RI
| | - Mark W Westneat
- University of Chicago, Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, Chicago, IL
| | - Adam P Summers
- University of Washington Friday Harbor, Labs Friday Harbor, WA
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20
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Taylor BM, Benkwitt CE, Choat H, Clements KD, Graham NAJ, Meekan MG. Synchronous biological feedbacks in parrotfishes associated with pantropical coral bleaching. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:1285-1294. [PMID: 31789454 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Biological feedbacks generated through patterns of disturbance are vital for sustaining ecosystem states. Recent ocean warming and thermal anomalies have caused pantropical episodes of coral bleaching, which has led to widespread coral mortality and a range of subsequent effects on coral reef communities. Although the response of many reef-associated fishes to major disturbance events on coral reefs is negative (e.g., reduced abundance and condition), parrotfishes show strong feedbacks after disturbance to living reef structure manifesting as increases in abundance. However, the mechanisms underlying this response are poorly understood. Using biochronological reconstructions of annual otolith (ear stone) growth from two ocean basins, we tested whether parrotfish growth was enhanced following bleaching-related coral mortality, thus providing an organismal mechanism for demographic changes in populations. Both major feeding guilds of parrotfishes (scrapers and excavators) exhibited enhanced growth of individuals after bleaching that was decoupled from expected thermal performance, a pattern that was not evident in other reef fish taxa from the same environment. These results provide evidence for a more nuanced ecological feedback system-one where disturbance plays a key role in mediating parrotfish-benthos interactions. By influencing the biology of assemblages, disturbance can thereby stimulate change in parrotfish grazing intensity and ultimately reef geomorphology over time. This feedback cycle operated historically at within-reef scales; however, our results demonstrate that the scale, magnitude, and severity of recent thermal events are entraining the biological responses of disparate communities to respond in synchrony. This may fundamentally alter feedbacks in the relationships between parrotfishes and reef systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Taylor
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | | | - Howard Choat
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
| | - Kendall D Clements
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Mark G Meekan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, WA, Australia
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21
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Abstract
Enamel is the hardest and most resilient tissue in the human body. Enamel includes morphologically aligned, parallel, ∼50 nm wide, microns-long nanocrystals, bundled either into 5-μm-wide rods or their space-filling interrod. The orientation of enamel crystals, however, is poorly understood. Here we show that the crystalline c-axes are homogenously oriented in interrod crystals across most of the enamel layer thickness. Within each rod crystals are not co-oriented with one another or with the long axis of the rod, as previously assumed: the c-axes of adjacent nanocrystals are most frequently mis-oriented by 1°-30°, and this orientation within each rod gradually changes, with an overall angle spread that is never zero, but varies between 30°-90° within one rod. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that the observed mis-orientations of adjacent crystals induce crack deflection. This toughening mechanism contributes to the unique resilience of enamel, which lasts a lifetime under extreme physical and chemical challenges.
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22
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Diversity and Structure of Parrotfish Assemblages across the Northern Great Barrier Reef. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/d11010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The structure and dynamics of coral reef environments vary across a range of spatial scales, with patterns of associated faunal assemblages often reflecting this variability. However, delineating drivers of biological variability in such complex environments has proved challenging. Here, we investigated the assemblage structure and diversity of parrotfishes—a common and ecologically important group—across 6° of latitude on the Northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. Parrotfish abundance and biomass were determined from stereo-video surveys across 82 sites spanning 31 reefs and assessed against geographic, biophysical, and management-related factors in a multivariate framework to determine major drivers and associated scales of assemblage structure. Large cross-shelf variation in parrotfish assemblages pervaded along the entire Northern GBR, with distinct assemblages associated with sheltered and exposed reefs. Species abundances and diversity generally decreased with decreasing latitude. The gradient of explicit predator biomass associated with management zoning had no effect on parrotfish assemblage structure, but was positively correlated with parrotfish diversity. Our results highlight the ubiquitous presence of cross-shelf variation, where the greatest differences in parrotfish community composition existed between sheltered (inner and mid shelf) and exposed (outer shelf) reef systems. Prior attempts to explain linkages between parrotfishes and fine-scale biophysical factors have demonstrated parrotfishes as habitat generalists, but recent developments in nutritional ecology suggest that their cross-shelf variation on the GBR is likely reflective of benthic resource distribution and species-specific feeding modes.
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Seknazi E, Pokroy B. Residual Strain and Stress in Biocrystals. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1707263. [PMID: 29766594 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201707263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The development of residual strains within a material is a valuable engineering technique for increasing the material's strength and toughness. Residual strains occur naturally in some biominerals and are an important feature that is recently highlighted in biomineral studies. Here, manifestations of internal residual strains detected in biominerals are reviewed. The mechanisms by which they develop, as well as their impact on the biominerals' mechanical properties, are described. The question as to whether they can be utilized in multiscale strengthening and toughening strategies for biominerals is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Seknazi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 32000, Haifa, Israel
| | - Boaz Pokroy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, 32000, Haifa, Israel
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Guarino R, Costagliola G, Bosia F, Pugno NM. Evidence of friction reduction in laterally graded materials. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 9:2443-2456. [PMID: 30254839 PMCID: PMC6142729 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.9.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In many biological structures, optimized mechanical properties are obtained through complex structural organization involving multiple constituents, functional grading and hierarchical organization. In the case of biological surfaces, the possibility to modify the frictional and adhesive behaviour can also be achieved by exploiting a grading of the material properties. In this paper, we investigate this possibility by considering the frictional sliding of elastic surfaces in the presence of a spatial variation of the Young's modulus and the local friction coefficients. Using finite-element simulations and a two-dimensional spring-block model, we investigate how graded material properties affect the macroscopic frictional behaviour, in particular, static friction values and the transition from static to dynamic friction. The results suggest that the graded material properties can be exploited to reduce static friction with respect to the corresponding non-graded material and to tune it to desired values, opening possibilities for the design of bio-inspired surfaces with tailor-made tribological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Guarino
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired & Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Gianluca Costagliola
- Department of Physics and Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces Centre, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 1, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Federico Bosia
- Department of Physics and Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces Centre, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 1, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Nicola Maria Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired & Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Ket Lab, Edoardo Amaldi Foundation, Italian Space Agency, Via del Politecnico snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1-4NS London, United Kingdom
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Stifler CA, Wittig NK, Sassi M, Sun CY, Marcus MA, Birkedal H, Beniash E, Rosso KM, Gilbert PUPA. X-ray Linear Dichroism in Apatite. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:11698-11704. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b05547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cayla A. Stifler
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Nina Kølln Wittig
- Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Michel Sassi
- Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Chang-Yu Sun
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Matthew A. Marcus
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Henrik Birkedal
- Department of Chemistry and iNANO, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Elia Beniash
- Departments of Oral Biology and Bioengineering, Center for Craniofacial Regeneration, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, UPitt, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Kevin M. Rosso
- Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Pupa U. P. A. Gilbert
- Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Departments of Chemistry, Materials Science, and Geoscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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Stan CV, Tamura N. Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction and Fluorescence Imaging of Mineral and Rock Samples. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29985343 DOI: 10.3791/57874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In this report, we describe a detailed procedure for acquiring and processing x-ray microfluorescence (μXRF), and Laue and powder microdiffraction two-dimensional (2D) maps at beamline 12.3.2 of the Advanced Light Source (ALS), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Measurements can be performed on any sample that is less than 10 cm x 10 cm x 5 cm, with a flat exposed surface. The experimental geometry is calibrated using standard materials (elemental standards for XRF, and crystalline samples such as Si, quartz, or Al2O3 for diffraction). Samples are aligned to the focal point of the x-ray microbeam, and raster scans are performed, where each pixel of a map corresponds to one measurement, e.g., one XRF spectrum or one diffraction pattern. The data are then processed using the in-house developed software XMAS, which outputs text files, where each row corresponds to a pixel position. Representative data from moissanite and an olive snail shell are presented to demonstrate data quality, collection, and analysis strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia V Stan
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
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