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Enamel-like apatite crown covering amorphous mineral in a crayfish mandible

Author

Listed:
  • Shmuel Bentov

    (Ben-Gurion University
    Ben-Gurion University)

  • Paul Zaslansky

    (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Research Campus Golm
    Present address: Julius Wolff Institute and Centre for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany.)

  • Ali Al-Sawalmih

    (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Research Campus Golm)

  • Admir Masic

    (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Research Campus Golm)

  • Peter Fratzl

    (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Research Campus Golm)

  • Amir Sagi

    (Ben-Gurion University
    National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University)

  • Amir Berman

    (Ben-Gurion University
    National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University
    Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University)

  • Barbara Aichmayer

    (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Research Campus Golm)

Abstract

Carbonated hydroxyapatite is the mineral found in vertebrate bones and teeth, whereas invertebrates utilize calcium carbonate in their mineralized organs. In particular, stable amorphous calcium carbonate is found in many crustaceans. Here we report on an unusual, crystalline enamel-like apatite layer found in the mandibles of the arthropod Cherax quadricarinatus (freshwater crayfish). Despite their very different thermodynamic stabilities, amorphous calcium carbonate, amorphous calcium phosphate, calcite and fluorapatite coexist in well-defined functional layers in close proximity within the mandible. The softer amorphous minerals are found primarily in the bulk of the mandible whereas apatite, the harder and less soluble mineral, forms a wear-resistant, enamel-like coating of the molar tooth. Our findings suggest a unique case of convergent evolution, where similar functional challenges of mastication led to independent developments of structurally and mechanically similar, apatite-based layers in the teeth of genetically remote phyla: vertebrates and crustaceans.

Suggested Citation

  • Shmuel Bentov & Paul Zaslansky & Ali Al-Sawalmih & Admir Masic & Peter Fratzl & Amir Sagi & Amir Berman & Barbara Aichmayer, 2012. "Enamel-like apatite crown covering amorphous mineral in a crayfish mandible," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-7, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1839
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1839
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