Abstract
The dactylopodites of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) have evolved extraordinary resistance to wear and impact loading after direct contact with rough surfaces or clashing with hard materials. In this study, the microstructure, components, and mechanical properties of the dactylopodites of the Chinese mitten crab were investigated. Images from a scanning electron microscope show that the dactylopodites’ exoskeleton was multilayered, with an epicuticle, exocuticle, and endocuticle. Cross sections and longitudinal sections of the endocuticle revealed a Bouligand structure, which contributes to the dactylopodites’ mechanical properties. The main organic constituents of the exoskeleton were chitin and protein, and the major inorganic compound was CaCO3, crystallized as calcite. Dry and wet dactylopodites were brittle and ductile, respectively, characteristics that are closely related to their mechanical structure and composition. The findings of this study can be a reference for the bionic design of strong and durable structural materials.
Highlights
After hundreds of millions of years of evolution, the functional properties of parts of organisms tend to have optimal structural and material characteristics, as well as excellent adaptability and longevity [1,2]
In adaptation to complex terrains, in addition to the Chinese mitten crabs’ means of locomotion, their dactylopodites, which come into contact with the terrain during movement, play an important role [13]
As the end parts of the pereiopods, dactylopodites are in direct contact with rough ground and clash with hard materials such as gravel
Summary
After hundreds of millions of years of evolution, the functional properties of parts of organisms tend to have optimal structural and material characteristics, as well as excellent adaptability and longevity [1,2]. It has an impressive ability to move on hard and deformable terrain, such as mire Due to their unique strong shell and means of locomotion, Chinese mitten crabs are able to adapt to a variety of complex terrains, a characteristic that has attracted widespread attention from researchers [7,8,9,10]. As the end parts of the pereiopods, dactylopodites are in direct contact with rough ground and clash with hard materials such as gravel. They possess excellent mechanical properties and unique biological characteristics, such as shape, structure, and composition. Studies on the dactylopodites of the Chinese mitten crab are scarce
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