SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF THE REGENERATED SHELL OF THE MARINE ARCHAEOGASTROPOD, TEGULA

Abstract

A window was cut in the first body whorl of the marine snail, Tegula, to induce shell regeneration. At various intervals after the shell window was cut, the window with the regenerated material and the shell surrounding it were prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Initial crystal deposition occurred in association with an organic matrix and appeared as small, spindle-shaped crystals formed by the aggregation of needle-like subunits. The spindles were frequently aggregated into stellate clusters that coalesced to form a sheet of mineralized tissue. After about two months of regeneration, dumbbell-shaped crystal aggregates and spherulites were apparent on the surface of the regenerated shell. The regenerated shell assumed a normal structure after at least four months of regeneration. Crystal deposition also occurred on the normal shell bordering the shell window. The crystals assumed several forms, and their orientation appeared to be determined by the microtopography of the underlying shell.

Unusual Micrometric Calcite–Aragonite Interface in the Abalone Shell Haliotis (Mollusca, Gastropoda)

“…Changes in mineralogy, crystallinity, and structure are normal in mollusks, but they usually follow a well-defined sequence. Nevertheless, the distribution of proteins probably involved in the biomineralization processes is both time and location dependent in H. tuberculata~Jardillier et al, 2008;Auzoux-Bordenave et al, 2010!. Mixed structures and mineralogies have been obtained in experiments involving mollusk shell repair and regeneration~Muzii et al., 1966;Saleuddin & Wilbur, 1969;Meenakshi et al, 1973Meenakshi et al, , 1975Chan & Saleuddin, 1974;Uozumi & Suzuki, 1979;Reed-Miller, 1983!. In most cases, the structure and mineralogy of the repaired shells do not correspond to those of the normal shell.…”

“…Mixed structures and mineralogies have been obtained in experiments involving mollusk shell repair and regeneration (Muzii et al, 1966; Saleuddin & Wilbur, 1969; Meenakshi et al, 1973, 1975; Chan & Saleuddin, 1974; Uozumi & Suzuki, 1979; Reed-Miller, 1983). In most cases, the structure and mineralogy of the repaired shells do not correspond to those of the normal shell.…”