SEM, EBSD, laser confocal microscopy and FE-SEM data from modern Glycymeris shell layers

Abstract

Here, we provide the dataset associated with the research article “Orientation patterns of aragonitic crossed-lamellar, fibrous prismatic and myostracal microstructures of modern Glycymeris shells” [1]. Based on several tools (SEM, EBSD, laser confocal microscopy and FE-SEM) we present original data relative to the microstructure and texture of aragonite crystallites in all Glycymeris shell layers (crossed-lamellar, complex crossed-lamellar, fibrous prismatic and pedal retractor and adductor myostraca) and address texture characteristics at the transition from one layer to the other, identifying similarities and differences among the different layers. Shells were cut transversely, obliquely and longitudinally in order to obtain different orientated sections of the outer and inner layer and of the myostraca. The identification of major microstructural elements was provided by detailed SEM and laser confocal microscopy images. Microstructure and texture characterization was based on EBSD measurements presented as band contrast images and as color-coded crystal orientation maps with corresponding pole figures. Crystal co-orientation was measured with the MUD value. Finally, the distribution of the organic matrix occluded within the outer crossed-lamellar layer was revealed using FE-SEM. These data, besides providing a modern unaltered Glycymeris reference to detect diagenetic alteration in fossil analogs used for paleoenvironmental reconstructions, are useful to better comprehend the mechanisms of bivalve shell formation.

Molluscs generate preferred crystallographic orientation of biominerals by organic templates, the texture and microstructure of Caudofoveata (Aplacophora) shells

“…7 shows, this is not the case, we do not observe a misorientation peak at 64° and we can conclude that sclerite aragonite is not twinned. This is an important finding, in particular, as biologically secreted conchiferan aragonites are very often twinned 33 – 38 . E. g. the aragonite of Polyplacophora spicules, scales and plates (belonging also to the clade Aculifera as the Aplacophora) is twinned 39 .…”

Biomineral crystallographic preferred orientation in Solenogastres molluscs (Aplacophora) is controlled by organic templating

“…These are: Growth of crystals by growth competition ; e.g. formation of argonauta prismatic calcite 30 , 31 , brachiopod columnar calcite 32 , bivalve myostracal aragonite 33 , 34 , and rotaliid foraminifera calcite 35 , 36 . Growth of crystals between biopolymer membranes that form through self-organization prior to mineralization; e.g.…”

“…Growth of crystals by growth competition ; e.g. formation of argonauta prismatic calcite 30 , 31 , brachiopod columnar calcite 32 , bivalve myostracal aragonite 33 , 34 , and rotaliid foraminifera calcite 35 , 36 .…”

Characterisation data for open-air processed common water reed (Phragmites australis) ash and papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) ash

“…The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) data, the Hitachi FlexSEM 1000, was used after gold plating as used by different studies [15 , 16] .…”