A Diecast Mineralization Process Forms the Tough Mantis Shrimp Dactyl Club

Biomineralization, the process by which mineralized tissues grow and harden via biogenic mineral deposition, is a relatively lengthy process in many mineral-producing organisms,resulting in challenges to study the growth and biomineralization of complex hard mineralized tissues. In this study we used the dactyl club of stomatopods (mantis shrimps)as a model structure to study the entire formation of hard and tough mineralized appendages. Proteomics analysis was performed prior mineralization process on freshly molted cuticle.