Scanning electron microscopic structure of the prismatic layer in the Bivalvia

Abstract

The shell structure of the Bivalvia has been observed with the use of optical and electron microscopes since the early 1900’s. The prismatic structure is one of the more attractive shell structures in bivalved mollusks. This structure is composed of the aggregation of polygonal prisms arranged densely. Each prism is made of small calcite crystallites arranged perpendicular to a growth shell surface. Organic materials, named organic sheaths, accumulate around prisms and stain well with heamatoxylin-eosin.The Bivalvia, which make prismatic structures, are divided into two groups. One group has the inner shell layer made up of a nacreous structure, and the other has the inner shell layer made up of a foliated structure. The aragonite prismatic layer and the prismatic layer are closely related to each other, as is the aragonite prismatic layer to the composite prismatic one.

Keywords

Bivalvia / shell structure / prismatic structure / prism / calcite / organic sheath