| The mineralized tergite cuticle of four terrestrial isopods (Oniscoidea) (Ligia oceanica, Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber and Armadillidium vulgare ) and of the marine isopod Sphaeroma serratum shows a general organization comparable to the fundamental plan of the decapod sclerite cuticle. Moreover, as in decapods, the procuticular layers are not tanned and mineralization rates, from 60 to 80% of the total cuticular dry weight, are of the same importance. However, the chitin protein microfibril distribution according to a homogeneous system in the mineralized procuticular proximal layer in all isopod species so far studied does not allow any comparison of this layer with the non-mineralized membranous layer. |
