The Ultrastructure Of The Epicuticular Interference Reflectors Of Tiger Beetles (Cicindela) | Zendy

Thomas D. Schultz | Zendy; Mary Ann Rankin | Zendy

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The Ultrastructure Of The Epicuticular Interference Reflectors Of Tiger Beetles (Cicindela)

Author(s) -

Thomas D. Schultz,

Mary Ann Rankin

Publication year - 1985

Publication title -

journal of experimental biology

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 1.367

H-Index - 185

eISSN - 1477-9145

pISSN - 0022-0949

DOI - 10.1242/jeb.117.1.87

Subject(s) - ultrastructure , arthropod cuticle , iridescence , cuticle (hair) , reflector (photography) , biology , refractive index , materials science , optics , biophysics , anatomy , botany , insect , optoelectronics , physics , ecology , light source

Tiger beetles of the genus Cicindela exhibit iridescent structural coloration due to the presence of a non-ideal multilayer interference reflector located in the outermost 2 μm of the integument. The reflector is composed of alternating layers of electron-lucent and electron-dense material. This series of layers was distinguished from chitinous procuticle by its position, ultrastructure and solubility in dilute KOH. The reflector appears homologous with the inner epicuticle of current models. Measurements of surface reflectance, refractive index and the dimensions of the alternating layers suggests that the dense layer has a refractive index (RI) near 2.0 and may be a melanoprotein.

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