Summary
-
1.
On the basis of tensile mechanical properties fibre-reinforced arthropod cuticles can be classified into two main types: one in which the stiffness is provided mainly by the matrix and the other in which stiffness derives largely from the chitin fibres.
-
2.
These two types of cuticle can be related directly to function: the former is relatively hard and stiff and typical of sclerites and thus imparts skeletal rigidity and chiefly subserves a protective function, the latter gives rise to relatively soft and supple, yet flexible materials commonly encountered in arthrodial membrane cuticle.
-
3.
Some cuticles show elements of both of the above types. It appears that these intermediate cuticles are specialized forms and occur as optimizations between the main functions of protection and locomotion, as in caterpillars.
-
4.
It is concluded that a description of arthropod cuticle in mechanical terms is better suited to the understanding of function and is therefore biologically more meaningful than are classifications based on either fibre architecture or histological staining reactions.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barth, F.G.: Microfiber reinforcement of an arthropod cuticle. Z. Zellforsch.144, 409–433 (1973)
Dalingwater, J.: The reality of arthropod cuticular laminae. Cell Tiss. Res.163, 411–413 (1975a)
Dalingwater, J.: SEM observations on the cuticles of some decapod crustaceans. Zool. J. Linn. Soc.56, 327–330 (1975b)
Dalingwater, J.: Further observations on eurypterid cuticles. Forssils and Strata4, 271–279 (1975c)
Dennell, R.: The structure of the cuticle of the shore-crab,Carcinus maenas (L.). Zool. J. Linn. Soc.52, 159–163 (1973)
Dennell, R.: The fine structure of the cuticle of some Phasmida. In: The insect integument (Hepburn, H.R., ed.), Amsterdam: Elsevier 1976
Greven, H., Hiller, U.: Darstellung der Cutculaschichten vonPortunus holstatus (Crustacea, Decapoda) mit Hilfe des Raster-Elektronenmikroskopes. Leitz Mitt. wiss. Technik-Suppl.1 (5), 164–169 (1974)
Gubb, D.: A direct visualisation of helicoidal architecture inCarcinus maenas andHalocynthia papillosa by scanning electron microsopy. Tissue & Cell7, 19–32 (1975)
Hackman, R.H.: Expanding abdominal cuticle in the bugRhodnius and the tickBoophilus. J. Insect Physiol.21, 1613–1623 (1975)
Hepburn, H.R.: Some mechanical properties of crossed fibrillar chitin. J. Insect Physiol.18, 815–825 (1972)
Hepburn, H.R., Ball, A.: On the structure and mechanical properties of beetle shells. J. Materials Sci.8, 618–623 (1973)
Hepburn, H.R., Chandler, H.D.: A new classification for arthropod cuticles. S. Afr. J. Sci.71, 311–312 (1975)
Hepburn, H.R., Chandler, H.D.: On the mechanical hysteresis of insect cuticles. J. Insect Physiol., in press (1976)
Hepburn, H. R., Farr, J.M.: On the structure of the cuticle of Mecoptera. J. Ent. (A)50, 97–105 (1975)
Hepburn, H.R., Joffe, I.: On the material properties of insect exoskeletons. In: The insect integument (Hepburn, H.R. ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier 1976
Hepburn, H.R., Joffe, I., Green, N., Nelson, K.J.: Mechanical properties of a crab shell. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.50A, 551–554 (1975)
Hepburn, H.R., Levy, H.: Mechanical properties of some larval cuticles. J. ent. Soc. Sth. Afr.38, 131–140 (1975)
Hepburn, H.R., Roberts, D.C.: Stiffness and tanning of sclerites. J. Insect Physiol.21, 1741–1746 (1975)
Joffe, I., Hepburn, H.R.: Observations on regenerated chitin films. J. Materials Sci.8, 1751–1754 (1973)
Joffe, I., Hepburn, H.R.: A simple low-cost tensometer for bio-materials testing. Experientia (Basel)30, 113–114 (1974)
Joffe, I., Hepburn, H.R., Anderson, S.O.: On the mechanical properties ofLimulus solid cuticle. J. comp. Physiol.101, 147–160 (1975a)
Joffe, I., Hepburn, H.R., Nelson, K.J., Green, N.: Mechanical properties of a crustacean exoskeleton. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.50A, 545–549 (1975b)
Mutvei, H.: SEM studies on arthropod exoskeletons. Part 1: decapod crustaceans,Homarus gammarus L. andCarcinus maenas (L.). Bull. geol. Inst. Univ. Uppsala. N.S.4/5, 73–80 (1974)
Neville, A.C.: Biology of the arthropod cuticle. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1975
Reynolds, S.E.: The mechanical properties of the abdominal cuticle ofRhodnius larvae. J. exp. Biol.62, 69–80 (1975)
Richards, A.G.: Sclerotization and the localization of brown and black colors in insects. Zool. Jb. Anat.84, 25–62 (1967)
Vincent, J.F.V.: Locust oviposition: stress-softening of the extensible intersegmental membranes. Proc. roy. Soc. Lond. B188, 189–201 (1975)
Vincent, J.F.V.: Design for living — the elastic-sided locust. In: The insect integument (Hepburn, H.R., ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier 1976
Wigglesworth, V.B.: The hemocytes and connective tissue formation in an insect,Rhodnius prolixus. Quart. J. micr. Sci.97, 89–98 (1956)
Zacharuk, R.Y.: Fine structure of the cuticle, epidermis, and fat body of larval Elateridae (Coleoptera) and changes associated with molting. Canad. J. Zool.50, 1463–1487 (1972)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hepburn, H.R., Chandler, H.D. Material properties of arthropod cuticles: The arthrodial membranes. J Comp Physiol B 109, 177–198 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00689417
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00689417