Data from: Structural design of the minute clypeasteroid echinoid Echinocyamus pusillus

The clypeasteroid echinoid skeleton is a multi-plated, light-weight shell construction produced by biomineralization processes. In shell constructions, joints between individual elements are considered as weak points, yet, these echinoid skeleton shows an extensive preservation potential in both Recent and fossil environments. The remarkable strength of the test is achieved by skeletal reinforcement structures and their constructional layouts. Micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy are used for micro-structural and volumetric analyses of the echinoid’s skeleton. It is shown, that strengthening mechanisms act on different hierarchical levels from the overall shape of the skeleton to micro-skeletal interlocking. The tight-fitting and interlocking plate joints lead to a shell considered to behave as a monolithic structure. The plate’s architecture features distinct regions interpreted as a significant load transferring system. The internal support system follows the segmentation of the remaining skeleton, where sutural layout and stereom distribution are designed for effective load transfer. The structural analysis of the multi-plated, yet monolithic skeleton of Echinocyamus pusillus reveals new aspects of the micro-morphology and its structural relevance for the load-bearing behaviour. The analysed structural principles allow E. pusillus to be considered as a role model for the development of multi-element, light-weight shell constructions.楯形目海胆（clypeasteroid echinoid）的骨骼是一种经生物矿化过程形成的多板组装式轻质壳体结构。在壳体构造中，单个骨板构件间的接缝常被视为结构薄弱节点，但这类海胆骨骼在现生与化石沉积环境中均展现出优异的保存潜能。该壳体的卓越结构强度源于骨骼强化结构与配套的构造布局。研究采用显微计算机断层扫描（micro-computed tomography）与扫描电子显微镜（scanning electron microscopy）对海胆骨骼开展微结构与体积分析，结果表明强化机制作用于从骨骼整体形态到微骨骼互锁的不同层级尺度。紧密贴合且互锁的骨板接缝使得该壳体呈现出整体结构的力学行为特征，骨板的构造具有清晰的功能分区，被视作一套高效的载荷传递系统。内部支撑系统遵循剩余骨骼的分段模式，其缝合布局与立体骨组织（stereom）分布均针对高效载荷传递进行了优化设计。对小猬海胆（Echinocyamus pusillus）的多板式整体骨骼开展结构分析，揭示了其微观形貌的新研究视角以及该结构与载荷承载行为的结构相关性，本次研究解析得到的结构原理可将小猬海胆作为多构件轻质壳体结构研发的仿生模板。