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Perricone V, Cesarano P, Mancosu A, Asnicar D, Bravi S, Marmo F. Echinoid skeleton: an insight on the species-specific pattern of the Paracentrotus lividus plate and its microstructural variability. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20220673. [PMID: 36722170 PMCID: PMC9890320 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0673] [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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The skeletal plates of echinoids consist of a peculiar lightweight structure, called stereom, which is organized in a porous three-dimensional lattice-like meshwork. The stereom is characterized by an extremely complex and diverse microarchitecture, largely varying not only from species to species but also among different test plates. It consists of different basic types combined in extremely different ways according to specific functional needs, creating species-specific structural patterns. These patterns can lead to specific mechanical behaviours, which can inspire biomimetic technology and design development. In this framework, the present study aimed to characterize the species-specific pattern of the Paracentrotus lividus interambulacral plate and the main microstructural features regarding its geometrical variability and mechanical responses. The results achieved quantitatively highlighted the differences between the analysed stereom types providing new insights regarding their topological configuration and isotropic and anisotropic behaviour. Interestingly, data also revealed that the galleried stereom present at the tubercle is significantly different from the one located at the suture. These analyses and findings are encouraging and provide a starting point for future research to unravel the wide range of mechanical strategies evolved in the echinoid skeletal structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Perricone
- Department of Engineering, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Roma 29, 81031 Aversa, Italy
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Cesarano
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancosu
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Davide Asnicar
- Aquatic Bioscience, Huntsman Marine Science Centre, 1 Lower Campus Road, St Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada E5B 2L7
| | - Sergio Bravi
- Department of Earth Science, Environment and Resources, University of Naples Federico II, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia 26, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Marmo
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy
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Perricone V, Grun TB, Rendina F, Marmo F, Candia Carnevali MD, Kowalewski M, Facchini A, De Stefano M, Santella L, Langella C, Micheletti A. Hexagonal Voronoi pattern detected in the microstructural design of the echinoid skeleton. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY, INTERFACE 2022; 19:20220226. [PMID: 35946165 PMCID: PMC9363984 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Repeated polygonal patterns are pervasive in natural forms and structures. These patterns provide inherent structural stability while optimizing strength-per-weight and minimizing construction costs. In echinoids (sea urchins), a visible regularity can be found in the endoskeleton, consisting of a lightweight and resistant micro-trabecular meshwork (stereom). This foam-like structure follows an intrinsic geometrical pattern that has never been investigated. This study aims to analyse and describe it by focusing on the boss of tubercles—spine attachment sites subject to strong mechanical stresses—in the common sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. The boss microstructure was identified as a Voronoi construction characterized by 82% concordance to the computed Voronoi models, a prevalence of hexagonal polygons, and a regularly organized seed distribution. This pattern is interpreted as an evolutionary solution for the construction of the echinoid skeleton using a lightweight microstructural design that optimizes the trabecular arrangement, maximizes the structural strength and minimizes the metabolic costs of secreting calcitic stereom. Hence, this identification is particularly valuable to improve the understanding of the mechanical function of the stereom as well as to effectively model and reconstruct similar structures in view of future applications in biomimetic technologies and designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Perricone
- Department of Engineering, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Roma 29, Aversa 81031, Italy
| | - Tobias B Grun
- Division of Invertebrate Paleontology, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32618, USA
| | - Francesco Rendina
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Naples 'Parthenope', URL CoNISMa, Centro Direzionale Is.4, Naples 80143, Italy
| | - Francesco Marmo
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, Naples 80125, Italy
| | | | - Michal Kowalewski
- Division of Invertebrate Paleontology, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32618, USA
| | - Angelo Facchini
- IMT school for advanced studies Lucca, Piazza S. Ponziano 6, 55100, Lucca, Italy
| | - Mario De Stefano
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology University of Campania 'L. Vanvitelli', Via Vivaldi 43, Caserta 80127, Italy
| | - Luigia Santella
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, Naples 80121, Italy
| | - Carla Langella
- Department of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via San Lorenzo, 81031, Aversa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Micheletti
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy
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Klang K, Nickel KG. The Plant-Like Structure of Lance Sea Urchin Spines as Biomimetic Concept Generator for Freeze-Casted Structural Graded Ceramics. Biomimetics (Basel) 2021; 6:biomimetics6020036. [PMID: 34072652 PMCID: PMC8261639 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics6020036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The spine of the lance sea urchin (Phyllacanthus imperialis) is an unusual plant-akin hierarchical lightweight construction with several gradation features: a basic core-shell structure is modified in terms of porosities, pore orientation and pore size, forming superstructures. Differing local strength and energy consumption features create a biomimetic potential for the construction of porous ceramics with predetermined breaking points and adaptable behavior in compression overload. We present a new detailed structural and failure analysis of those spines and demonstrate that it is possible to include at least a limited number of those features in an abstracted way in ceramics, manufactured by freeze-casting. This possibility is shown to come from a modified mold design and optimized suspensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Klang
- Institute of Glass and Ceramics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Martensstraße 5, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Geosciences, Applied Mineralogy, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 56, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (K.G.N.)
| | - Klaus G. Nickel
- Department of Geosciences, Applied Mineralogy, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 56, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (K.G.N.)
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Perricone V, Grun TB, Marmo F, Langella C, Candia Carnevali MD. Constructional design of echinoid endoskeleton: main structural components and their potential for biomimetic applications. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2020; 16:011001. [PMID: 32927446 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/abb86b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The endoskeleton of echinoderms (Deuterostomia: Echinodermata) is of mesodermal origin and consists of cells, organic components, as well as an inorganic mineral matrix. The echinoderm skeleton forms a complex lattice-system, which represents a model structure for naturally inspired engineering in terms of construction, mechanical behaviour and functional design. The sea urchin (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) endoskeleton consists of three main structural components: test, dental apparatus and accessory appendages. Although, all parts of the echinoid skeleton consist of the same basic material, their microstructure displays a great potential in meeting several mechanical needs according to a direct and clear structure-function relationship. This versatility has allowed the echinoid skeleton to adapt to different activities such as structural support, defence, feeding, burrowing and cleaning. Although, constrained by energy and resource efficiency, many of the structures found in the echinoid skeleton are optimized in terms of functional performances. Therefore, these structures can be used as role models for bio-inspired solutions in various industrial sectors such as building constructions, robotics, biomedical and material engineering. The present review provides an overview of previous mechanical and biomimetic research on the echinoid endoskeleton, describing the current state of knowledge and providing a reference for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Perricone
- Dept. of Engineering, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Aversa, Italy
| | - Tobias B Grun
- Dept. of Invertebrate Paleontology, University of Florida, Florida Museum, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Francesco Marmo
- Dept. of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Carla Langella
- Dept. of Architecture and Industrial Design, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Aversa, Italy
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Mongiardino Koch N, Thompson JR. A Total-Evidence Dated Phylogeny of Echinoidea Combining Phylogenomic and Paleontological Data. Syst Biol 2020; 70:421-439. [PMID: 32882040 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syaa069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phylogenomic and paleontological data constitute complementary resources for unraveling the phylogenetic relationships and divergence times of lineages, yet few studies have attempted to fully integrate them. Several unique properties of echinoids (sea urchins) make them especially useful for such synthesizing approaches, including a remarkable fossil record that can be incorporated into explicit phylogenetic hypotheses. We revisit the phylogeny of crown group Echinoidea using a total-evidence dating approach that combines the largest phylogenomic data set for the clade, a large-scale morphological matrix with a dense fossil sampling, and a novel compendium of tip and node age constraints. To this end, we develop a novel method for subsampling phylogenomic data sets that selects loci with high phylogenetic signal, low systematic biases, and enhanced clock-like behavior. Our results demonstrate that combining different data sources increases topological accuracy and helps resolve conflicts between molecular and morphological data. Notably, we present a new hypothesis for the origin of sand dollars, and restructure the relationships between stem and crown echinoids in a way that implies a long stretch of undiscovered evolutionary history of the crown group in the late Paleozoic. Our efforts help bridge the gap between phylogenomics and phylogenetic paleontology, providing a model example of the benefits of combining the two. [Echinoidea; fossils; paleontology; phylogenomics; time calibration; total evidence.].
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey R Thompson
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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Lauer C, Sillmann K, Haußmann S, Nickel KG. Strength, elasticity and the limits of energy dissipation in two related sea urchin spines with biomimetic potential. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2018; 14:016018. [PMID: 30523969 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/aaf531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The calcitic spines of the sea urchins Heterocentrotus mamillatus and H. trigonarius are promising role models for lightweight applications, bone tissue scaffolds and energy dissipating processes due to their highly porous and organized structure. Therefore, mechanical properties including Young's Modulus, strength, failure behaviour and energy dissipation efficiency have been investigated in depth with uniaxial compression experiments, 3-point bending tests and resonance frequency damping analysis. It was found that despite a very similar structure, H. trigonarius has a significantly lower porosity than H. mamillatus leading to a higher strength and Young's Moduli, but limited ability to dissipate energy. In order to show reliable energy dissipation during failure in uniaxial compression, a transition porosity of 0.55-0.6 needs to be exceeded. The most effective structure for this purpose is a homogeneous, foam-like structure confined by a thin and dense shell that increases initial strength and was found in numerous spines of H. mamillatus. Sharp porosity changes induced by dense growth layers or prominent wedges of the spines' radiating building principle act as structural weaknesses, along which large flakes can be spalled, reducing the energy dissipation efficiency considerably. The high strength and Young's Modulus at the biologically necessary high porosity levels of the spines is useful for Heterocentrotus and their construction therefore remains to be a good example of biomimetics. However, the energy dissipative failure behaviour may be regarded as a mere side effect of the structure.
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