Figure 1: Morphology and biomechanics of a spike from the spearing
mantis shrimp L. maculata. (A) Photograph of a specimen (scale
bar: 5 cm) and (B) of a raptorial appendage showing, in the white boxes,
the distal spikes characterized here (scale bar: 1 cm). (C) Micro-CT
reconstruction of a distal spike attached to the dactyl. The grey levels
give a qualitative indication of the heterogeneous density of the
cuticle (increasing density from light grey to black). (D) Micro-CT
reconstruction of a single spike showing the gross morphology.
Superimposed to the micro-CT are arrows having length proportional to
the local curvature κ of the spike (a representative arrow indicating a
curvature of 0.14 mm-1 is shown at the bottom). The
inserts (yellow and orange boxes) show two typical cross-sections at the
base and near the tip of the spike (scale bars: 200 µm). By comparing
the two cross-sections, a slight rotation (of about 15 deg) along the
main axis of the spike is evident. (E) Side view of the lateral outer
border of the spike in SE-SEM showing serrations and surface grooves.
(F) Spatial variations of maximum (Imax) and minimum
(Imin) second area moments as well as polar moment (J)
of the spike cross-sections along its length. |