Crassicorophium bonellii

Crassicorophium bonellii
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
(Milne-Edwards, 1830)
Synonyms

Corophium bonelli Milne-Edwards, 1830
Corophium bonnelli Milne-Edwards, 1830
Corophium bonnellii Milne-Edwards, 1830

Crassicorophium bonellii is a species of amphipod crustacean in the genus Crassicorophium.[1] It produces water-proof 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]

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). "Crassicorophium bonellii (Milne Edwards, 1830)". In J. Lowry. World Amphipoda database. World Register of Marine Species. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=237004. Retrieved November 16, 2011. 
  2. ^ Victoria Gill. "Shrimp has 'silk-spinning skills'". BBC News. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/15699346. Retrieved November 16, 2011. 
  3. ^ Katrin Kronenberger, Cedric Dicko & Fritz Vollrath (2011). "A novel marine silk". Naturwissenschaften (in press). doi:10.1007/s00114-011-0853-5. 
  4. ^ ”Silk from the sea: No sow’s ear: A species of crustacean makes silk underwater”, The Economist, 19 Nov 2011.


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