Περίληψη:
The composition of some 1150 phosphate granules in the digestive glands
of over 40 species of marine prosobranch gastropods has been surveyed
using a simple preparation technique and semiquantitative SEM x-ray
microanalysis. Spectral peaks for Mg, K, Ca, Mn, Fe and Zn were compared
to that of P. Four major types of phosphate granule can be recognised,
each generally characteristic of a taxonomic grouping: high Mg in
archaeogastropods and littorinids, multiple metal in higher
mesogastropods, and, in neogastropods, Mg-Ca in muricoideans and high Zn
in buccinoideans. At least one Conus species (C. ventricosus) has
high-Mg granules. Some causes of variation in granule composition are
discussed: speculatively, it is suggested a palaeoenvironmental
influence seems possible.
Συγγραφείς:
Gibbs, PE
Nott, JA
Nicolaidou, A
Bebianno, MJ
