Extreme biomineralization
Related Research units
Abstract
Selected hypermineralized bones (rostrum and tympanic bullae) have yet to be characterized for diverse species of whales (Cetacea). Hypermineralization in these structures is an example of extreme biomineralization that, however, occurs at temperatures around 36 °C. In this study we present the results of analytical investigations of the specimen of tympanic bulla isolated from gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) for the first time. Examination of the internal surface of the bone mechanically crushed under a press revealed the presence of a lipid-containing phase, which did not disappear even after complete demineralization of the bone material. Additionally, analytical investigations including CARS, ATR-FTIR, Raman and XRD confirmed the presence of carbonated bioapatite and a collagen- lipid complex as the main components of this up to 2.34 kg/cm3 dense bone. Our experimental results open the way for further research on understanding of the principles of hypermineralization in highly specialized whale bones.
Bibliographical data
Original language | English |
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Article number | 727 |
ISSN | 0947-8396 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 01.09.2020 |
Comment Deanary
Funding Information:
This work was partially supported by DFG Project HE 394/3, (Germany), and by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (Poland) through a financial subsidy to PUT, No. 0912/SBAD/2006 (MW). Marcin Wysokowski is financially supported by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (PPN/BEK/2018/1/00071).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, The Author(s).
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.