Ultrastructure, chemistry and mineralogy of the growing shell of the European abalone Haliotis tuberculata

摘要: An integrated study of shell formation was initiated covering the entire life cycle marine gastropod Haliotis tuberculata. Shell microstructure, chemistry and mineralogy were investigated by polarized microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) infra-red (IR) spectroscopy. SEM images trochophore veliger larvae showed different stages growth from initial field to late calcified protoconch. Cross-sections revealed microstructural arrangement biominerals, showing progressive mineralization organic protoconch prior metamorphosis. To gain more information on mineralogical composition, EDX analyses IR spectroscopy performed along development stages. The results demonstrated that early mostly composed amorphous calcium carbonate, while a gradually crystallization under form aragonite. Post-metamorphic contained two distinct parts, original supporting new juvenile characterized marked sculptural pattern. shells post-larval abalones essentially made