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Exceptionally preserved Cretaceous crabs provide novel insights into the fossilization of arthropod compound eyes

Lindgren, Johan LU ; Heingård, Miriam LU orcid ; Alwmark, Carl LU ; Reid, Robert ; Hall, Stephen LU ; Luque, Javier ; Sjövall, Peter and Nilsson, Dan-Eric LU (2025) In Royal Society Open Science 12(12).
Abstract
The arthropod exoskeleton consists of a chitin–protein meshwork that is reinforced by incorporated minerals, such as in decapod crustaceans. Such naturally biomineralized cuticle forms the bulk of arthropod bodily remains in the rock record. However, the extent to which this organic–inorganic composite material is transformed during the fossilization process remains incompletely understood. We examined the composition of Cretaceous crab cuticle, focusing on exceptionally preserved ommatidial lenses. These were compared against optic tissues in extant sesarmid crabs to determine how post-burial processes affect the long-term (geological) survival of corneal cuticle. Our analyses show that rather than calcium carbonate (the presumed main... (More)
The arthropod exoskeleton consists of a chitin–protein meshwork that is reinforced by incorporated minerals, such as in decapod crustaceans. Such naturally biomineralized cuticle forms the bulk of arthropod bodily remains in the rock record. However, the extent to which this organic–inorganic composite material is transformed during the fossilization process remains incompletely understood. We examined the composition of Cretaceous crab cuticle, focusing on exceptionally preserved ommatidial lenses. These were compared against optic tissues in extant sesarmid crabs to determine how post-burial processes affect the long-term (geological) survival of corneal cuticle. Our analyses show that rather than calcium carbonate (the presumed main inorganic phase of crustacean cuticle), the exocuticle of sesarmid eyes is strengthened solely by calcium phosphate. The ancient lenses are likewise phosphatized; however, in these, the originally chitinous endocuticle has also been replaced by phosphatic deposits, resulting in a fully mineralized cornea. This finding has implications for interpretations of the optic capabilities of other extinct arthropods; notably the Palaeozoic trilobites, which are generally thought to have possessed mineralized ommatidial lenses in life. (Less)
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Royal Society Open Science
volume
12
issue
12
article number
250478
pages
15 pages
publisher
Royal Society Publishing
ISSN
2054-5703
DOI
10.1098/rsos.250478
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5f98064c-42f2-4d4c-9c18-94818e584bd6
date added to LUP
2025-12-17 09:22:04
date last changed
2025-12-17 13:29:36
@article{5f98064c-42f2-4d4c-9c18-94818e584bd6,
  abstract     = {{The arthropod exoskeleton consists of a chitin–protein meshwork that is reinforced by incorporated minerals, such as in decapod crustaceans. Such naturally biomineralized cuticle forms the bulk of arthropod bodily remains in the rock record. However, the extent to which this organic–inorganic composite material is transformed during the fossilization process remains incompletely understood. We examined the composition of Cretaceous crab cuticle, focusing on exceptionally preserved ommatidial lenses. These were compared against optic tissues in extant sesarmid crabs to determine how post-burial processes affect the long-term (geological) survival of corneal cuticle. Our analyses show that rather than calcium carbonate (the presumed main inorganic phase of crustacean cuticle), the exocuticle of sesarmid eyes is strengthened solely by calcium phosphate. The ancient lenses are likewise phosphatized; however, in these, the originally chitinous endocuticle has also been replaced by phosphatic deposits, resulting in a fully mineralized cornea. This finding has implications for interpretations of the optic capabilities of other extinct arthropods; notably the Palaeozoic trilobites, which are generally thought to have possessed mineralized ommatidial lenses in life.}},
  author       = {{Lindgren, Johan and Heingård, Miriam and Alwmark, Carl and Reid, Robert and Hall, Stephen and Luque, Javier and Sjövall, Peter and Nilsson, Dan-Eric}},
  issn         = {{2054-5703}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  number       = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{Royal Society Publishing}},
  series       = {{Royal Society Open Science}},
  title        = {{Exceptionally preserved Cretaceous crabs provide novel insights into the fossilization of arthropod compound eyes}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.250478}},
  doi          = {{10.1098/rsos.250478}},
  volume       = {{12}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}