The utility of micro-computed tomography for the non-destructive study of eye microstructure in snails.

摘要: Molluscan eyes exhibit an enormous range of morphological variation, ranging from tiny pigment-cup in limpets, compound ark clams and pinhole Nautilus, through to concave mirror scallops the large camera-type more derived cephalopods. Here we assess potential non-destructive micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) for investigating anatomy molluscan three species family Solariellidae, a group small, deep-sea gastropods. We compare our results directly with those traditional histological methods applied same specimens, show not only that eye microstructure can be visualised sufficient detail meaningful comparison even very small animals, but also μ-CT provide additional insight into gross neuroanatomy without damaging rare precious specimens. Data scans neurological innervation is reduced dark-adapted snails when compared cephalic tentacles, which are involved mechanoreception possibly chemoreception. Molecular tests use µ-CT phosphotungstic acid stain do prevent successful downstream DNA extraction, PCR amplification or sequencing. The therefore highly recommended investigation difficult-to-collect unique