This is the second monograph by the author on biological materials of marine origin. The initial book is dedicated to the biological materials of marine invertebrates. This work is a source of modern knowledge on biomineralization, biomimetics and materials science with respect to marine vertebrates. For the first time in scientific literature the author gives the most coherent analysis of the nature, origin and evolution of biocomposites and biopolymers isolated from and observed in the broad variety of marine vertebrate organisms (fish, reptilian, birds and mammals) and within their unique hierarchically organized structural formations. There is a wealth of new and newly synthesized information, including dozens of previously unpublished images of unique marine creatures including extinct, extant and living taxa and their biocomposite-based structures from nano- to micro – and macroscale. This monograph reviews the most relevant advances in the marine biological materials research field, pointing out several approaches being introduced and explored by distinct modern laboratories.
Table of Content
Introduction.- Species Richness and Diversity of Marine Vertebrates.- Part I: Biomaterials of Vertebrates Origin. An Overview.- Conclusion.- References.- Part II: Biomineralization in Marine Vertebrates.- 2. Cartilage of marine vertebrates.- 3. Biocomposites and Mineralized Tissues.- Part III: Marine Fishes as Source of Unique Biocomposites.- 4. Fish Scales as Mineral-based Composites.- 5. Materials Design Principles of Fish Scales and Armor.- 6. Fish Skin: From Clothing to Tissue Engineering.- 7. Fish Fins and Rays as Inspiration for Materials Engineering and Robotics.- Part IV: Marine Biopolymers of Vertebrate Origin.- 8. Marine Collagens.- 9. Marine Gelatins.- 10. Marine Elastin.- 11. Marine Keratins.- 12. Egg-capsule Proteins of Selachians.- 13. Marine Structural Proteins in Biomedicine and Tissue Engineering.- Epilogue.- References.
