76
with stark transitions between constituent tissues types,” (Dean et al. 2010 ; see for
more information Dean et al. 2008 , 2009b ).
The fi brous connective tissue within the elasmobranch vertebral cartilage is
known as “areolar”: Thus, it possesses fi bers which are arranged in a net with “a
weblike infi ltration of mineral in a hyaline cartilage matrix that varies in morphology by species,” (Porter et al. 2007 ; see for more information Moss 1977 ; Ridewood
1921 ). Some interspecifi c mineralization patterns observed in Elasmobranchii are
variable enough to be of systematic importance (Ridewood 1921 ). For example,
mineral in the vertebrae of the silky shark ( Carcharhinus falciformis ) are covered
with a thick crust. However, in the vertebrae of the shortfi n mako ( Isurus oxyrinchus ) mineralized plates are localized around the centre (Porter et al. 2006 ). It is
known that in bone signifi cant variation in mineral content is pathological or an
interspecifi c effect. In contrast to bone, mineral in vertebral cartilage of sharks varies within individuals, intraspecifi cally and interspecifi cally (Porter et al. 2007 )
(Fig. 2.3 ).
2.1.1 Marine Cartilage: Biomechanics and Material Properties
Cartilage is an example of “a viscoelastic material having both fl uid and solid characteristics, and therefore displays strain-rate dependent mechanical and material
properties” (Porter et al. 2007 ). Interestingly, the material properties of cartilages of
mammalian and of lower vertebrates (e.g. lamprey) origin are very similar. Both are
known as useful models for better understanding of fundamental principles that
modulate cartilage structure–function relationships in vivo and in vitro (Courtland
Fig. 2.3 Dorsal view of left
side of stained embryo of
California butterfl y ray
( Gymnura marmorata ). Red
areas indicate calcifi cation,
blue is cartilage (Adapted
from Schaefer and Summers
( 2005 ) with permission John
Wiley and Sons. Copyright ©
2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)
2 Cartilage of Marine Vertebrates
with stark transitions between constituent tissues types,” (Dean et al. 2010 ; see for
more information Dean et al. 2008 , 2009b ).
The fi brous connective tissue within the elasmobranch vertebral cartilage is
known as “areolar”: Thus, it possesses fi bers which are arranged in a net with “a
weblike infi ltration of mineral in a hyaline cartilage matrix that varies in morphology by species,” (Porter et al. 2007 ; see for more information Moss 1977 ; Ridewood
1921 ). Some interspecifi c mineralization patterns observed in Elasmobranchii are
variable enough to be of systematic importance (Ridewood 1921 ). For example,
mineral in the vertebrae of the silky shark ( Carcharhinus falciformis ) are covered
with a thick crust. However, in the vertebrae of the shortfi n mako ( Isurus oxyrinchus ) mineralized plates are localized around the centre (Porter et al. 2006 ). It is
known that in bone signifi cant variation in mineral content is pathological or an
interspecifi c effect. In contrast to bone, mineral in vertebral cartilage of sharks varies within individuals, intraspecifi cally and interspecifi cally (Porter et al. 2007 )
(Fig. 2.3 ).
2.1.1 Marine Cartilage: Biomechanics and Material Properties
Cartilage is an example of “a viscoelastic material having both fl uid and solid characteristics, and therefore displays strain-rate dependent mechanical and material
properties” (Porter et al. 2007 ). Interestingly, the material properties of cartilages of
mammalian and of lower vertebrates (e.g. lamprey) origin are very similar. Both are
known as useful models for better understanding of fundamental principles that
modulate cartilage structure–function relationships in vivo and in vitro (Courtland
Fig. 2.3 Dorsal view of left
side of stained embryo of
California butterfl y ray
( Gymnura marmorata ). Red
areas indicate calcifi cation,
blue is cartilage (Adapted
from Schaefer and Summers
( 2005 ) with permission John
Wiley and Sons. Copyright ©
2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)
2 Cartilage of Marine Vertebrates