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A highly conspicuous mineralized composite photonic architecture in the translucent shell of the blue-rayed limpet

Author

Listed:
  • Ling Li

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Present address: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, 9 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA)

  • Stefan Kolle

    (Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University
    School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University)

  • James C. Weaver

    (Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University)

  • Christine Ortiz

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Joanna Aizenberg

    (Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University
    School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
    Kavli Institute for Bionano Science and Technology at Harvard University)

  • Mathias Kolle

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Many species rely on diverse selections of entirely organic photonic structures for the manipulation of light and the display of striking colours. Here we report the discovery of a mineralized hierarchical photonic architecture embedded within the translucent shell of the blue-rayed limpet Patella pellucida. The bright colour of the limpet’s stripes originates from light interference in a periodically layered zig-zag architecture of crystallographically co-oriented calcite lamellae. Beneath the photonic multilayer, a disordered array of light-absorbing particles provides contrast for the blue colour. This unique mineralized manifestation of a synergy of two distinct optical elements at specific locations within the continuum of the limpet’s translucent protective shell ensures the vivid shine of the blue stripes, which can be perceived under water from a wide range of viewing angles. The stripes’ reflection band coincides with the spectral range of minimal light absorption in sea water, raising intriguing questions regarding their functional significance.

Suggested Citation

  • Ling Li & Stefan Kolle & James C. Weaver & Christine Ortiz & Joanna Aizenberg & Mathias Kolle, 2015. "A highly conspicuous mineralized composite photonic architecture in the translucent shell of the blue-rayed limpet," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms7322
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7322
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