Meeting Abstract
Studies on a variety of taxa have suggested a possible role for silicon in the early stages of calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate biomineralization. We examined pre- and postmolt exoskeleton from the blue crab Callinectes sapidus using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis of x-rays. The data reveal the presence of silicon (presumably silica) in the premolt carapace. Silicon is displaced or obscured by calcium as calcification begins during postmolt. Silicon continues to be detected in areas that have not yet undergone calcification. The involvement of silicon in some aspect of calcification is supported by the absence of silicon at any molt stage in the arthrodial cuticle, tissue which never undergoes calcification. The pattern of silicon distribution suggests that it plays a role in calcium carbonate nucleation or in the stabilization of amorphous calcium carbonate during the initial phase of calcification.
