SEA SAPPHIREAn interpretation of the crustacean

Sapphirina Copepod and its light

reflectance via shell structure

Research• Carl Claus (1835-1899)• Zoologist• Univ. Vienna

• Weizman Inst. & Interuniversity institue for Marine Sciences

• -located in israel

Copepod• Crustaceans• Metazoan• Genus: sapphrinia copepod• Symbiotic• Eat mosquito larvae• Length: 0.2-2mm (some up to 10mm)

Why do they shine?

• Covered with chitin• Guanine Crystals (hexagonal

structure)• Cytoplasm separates the layers• Thickness of cytoplasm and light

angle• Spacing: 4/10th of a mm• Structural coloration

Location

• Africa• Rhode Island• California Preferred Locations: freshwater or hypersaline environments

Importance/significance• Shells and scales used for pearly

iridescence features in shampoos,cosmetics and paint.

• Future: to be used for optical technologies such as optical displays and mirrors.

• https://youtu.be/26kus22RaTo

End