Structural Organisation of the Cusps of the Radular Teeth of the ChitonPlaxiphora albida

摘要: The structure, morphology and organisation of the cusps major lateral radula teeth chiton Plaxiphora albida have been examined using light, transmission scanning electron microscopy, together with energy dispersive X-ray analysis Mossbauer spectroscopy. In this species, both anterior posterior surfaces are composed magnetite, which is indicated to be non-stoichiometric associated some maghemile, small amounts phosphorus silicon. This outer layer surrounds an inner core region tooth, only reaches surface through a window zone on contains large iron presumably in form iron(III) phosphate. organic matrix, constructed, consists densely packed fine fibres at underlain by larger become sparser deeper into cusp. characterized presence short fibres. contrast situation found most other species chiton, matrix extend throughout magnetite mineralization, leading suggestion that exerts more control over mineralization than has previously thought.