10
Egg-case – Flexible, horn-like protein-based envelope that surrounds the eggs of
cartilaginous fi shes. In egg-laying species this is robust and necessary for protection of the egg. However, in live-bearers it is often membranous and soft, and
disintegrates while the fetuses are developing.
Rostrum – This cartilaginous structure is necessary to support the snout.
Saw or saw-snout – This elongated snout in sawsharks and sawfi sh possess
numerous side teeth formed from enlarged denticles. Usually is used to kill or
dig the prey (Fig. 1.2 ).
Spin-brush complex – unique spin-based structure described for Akmonistion
zangerli , one of the widely known representatives of Paleozoic chondrichthyans.
The spine of this fi sh (Fig. 1.3 ) consists of osteonal dentine surrounded by
acellular bone. It lacks any enamel-like surface tissue. The non-prismatic globular
Fig. 1.2 The saw- snout is formed from enlarged denticles. This is an ideal example of bioinspiration for engineers and materials scientists (Image courtesy of Mason Dean)
1 Introduction
Egg-case – Flexible, horn-like protein-based envelope that surrounds the eggs of
cartilaginous fi shes. In egg-laying species this is robust and necessary for protection of the egg. However, in live-bearers it is often membranous and soft, and
disintegrates while the fetuses are developing.
Rostrum – This cartilaginous structure is necessary to support the snout.
Saw or saw-snout – This elongated snout in sawsharks and sawfi sh possess
numerous side teeth formed from enlarged denticles. Usually is used to kill or
dig the prey (Fig. 1.2 ).
Spin-brush complex – unique spin-based structure described for Akmonistion
zangerli , one of the widely known representatives of Paleozoic chondrichthyans.
The spine of this fi sh (Fig. 1.3 ) consists of osteonal dentine surrounded by
acellular bone. It lacks any enamel-like surface tissue. The non-prismatic globular
Fig. 1.2 The saw- snout is formed from enlarged denticles. This is an ideal example of bioinspiration for engineers and materials scientists (Image courtesy of Mason Dean)
1 Introduction