Crassicorophium bonellii

Crassicorophium bonellii is a species of amphipod crustacean in the genus Crassicorophium.[1] It produces waterproof silk from its legs as an adhesive in constructing shelter for itself. In a study published in the journal Naturwissenschaften, it was found that silk is produced in a fashion very similar to spiders.[2][3]

Crassicorophium bonellii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Crustacea
Class:
Malacostraca
Order:
Amphipoda
Family:
Corophiidae
Genus:
Crassicorophium
Species:
C. bonellii
Binomial name
Crassicorophium bonellii
Synonyms [1]
  • Corophium bonelli Milne-Edwards, 1830
  • Corophium bonnelli Milne-Edwards, 1830
  • Corophium bonnellii Milne-Edwards, 1830

It has been suggested by Dr Fritz Vollrath of Oxford University that Crassicorophium silk's tolerance of salt water means it might find uses in medical applications where it would come into contact with salty bodily fluids.[4]

References
  1. Claude De Broyer (2011). Lowry J (ed.). "Crassicorophium bonellii (Milne Edwards, 1830)". World Amphipoda database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  2. Victoria Gill (November 15, 2011). "Shrimp has 'silk-spinning skills'". BBC News. Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  3. Katrin Kronenberger, Cedric Dicko & Fritz Vollrath (2011). "A novel marine silk". Naturwissenschaften. 99 (1): 3–10. doi:10.1007/s00114-011-0853-5. PMID 22057952.
  4. "No sow's ear". The Economist. November 19, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
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