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Evidence for helical microstructure of aragonite fibers in pteropod shells
- Source :
- MRS Bulletin.
- Publication Year :
- 2022
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2022.
-
Abstract
- Planktonic gastropods of the suborder Euthecosomata (order Pteropoda) secrete a unique microstructure made of tightly interlocked, space-filling helically coiled aragonite fibers. This material has a high degree of ordering because all fibers are in phase at a given growth plane. The recognition of the helical nature from mere scanning electron micrographs is somewhat uncertain. In addition, threedimensional (3D) reconstructions of individual helices are hindered by the small dimensions of fibers, and the virtual absence of intervening organic interphases. Here, we (1) reexamine the morphological characteristics of the fibers in fracture and find them compatible with a helical model, (2) provide direct evidence of the helical mode of coiling in the form of anaglyphs, and (3) develop a 3D model, which is fully consistent with the patterns observed in fractures and polished sections. Proposals based on motifs different from helices are not congruent with the observations.<br />Universidad de Granada/CBUA<br />Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (MICINN)<br />Instituto de Salud Carlos III Spanish Government CGL2017-85118-P PID2020-116660 GB-I00 Junta de Andalucia B-RNM-265-UGR18 PCIN-2017-098 RNM363<br />Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) KB PPI/APM/2018/1/00049/U/001<br />Unidad Cientifica de Excelencia UCE-PP2016-05<br />University of Granada<br />European COST Action CA17120<br />Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain (MICINN) Spanish Government FJC2018-035820-I<br />SKA South Africa 844345<br />Malacological Society of London Travel Award
Details
- ISSN :
- 19381425 and 08837694
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- MRS Bulletin
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....5c638292008a1b9fcb894cdc586cdc0b
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1557/s43577-022-00418-y