Crystalline calcium phosphate and magnetic mineral content of Daphnia resting eggs.
Daphnia is a key crustacean zooplankton of freshwater food chains. One factor that ensures successful propagation is the Daphnia resting eggs, which are able to retain structural integrity under extreme conditions. Until recently little was known about the chemical composition, microanatomy, and physical properties of the egg itself. The current study demonstrates that the resting eggs: (1) have shells that are made up of crystalline calcium phosphate and include a honeycombed structure, and (2) contain magnetic material having properties consistent with magnetite. These properties of the resting eggs may ensure Daphnia survival in harsh environments.
Kawasaki
Tamami
T
Department of Integrative Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan. tamami@rtri.or.jp
Yoshimura
Hideyuki
H
Shibue
Toshimichi
T
Ikeuchi
Yuko
Y
Sakata
Masanobu
M
Igarashi
Keisuke
K
Takada
Hidekazu
H
Hoshino
Kazuhito
K
Kohn
Kay
K
Namiki
Hideo
H
D000818:Animals; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000032:analysis*; D003621:Daphnia / Q000737:chemistry*; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis*; D008280:Magnetics; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010087:Oxides / Q000032:analysis*; D011859:Radiography
D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D010087:Oxides; C485828:alpha-tricalcium phosphate; C485830:tetracalcium phosphate; C485838:calcium phosphate, monobasic, anhydrous; C020243:calcium phosphate; D007501:Iron; C485829:calcium phosphate, dibasic, anhydrous; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide