Abstract
Turbo setosus Gmelin were collected in 1979 and 1982 in French Polynesia (Tuamotu). Ground cross-sections of calcified opercula revealed 3 distinct types of growth lines (A, B and C), the appearance and periodicity of which are described. Two months after fluorescent labelling with alizarin and fluorescein, permanent marks were easily visible in the operculum, enabling the 3 types of growth lines to be interpreted and a growth pattern distinguished: Type A growth lines, which are very translucent under transmitted light, are irregularly deposited after individual traumatisms and are termed “stress lines”; Type B lines exhibit a regular periodicity and correspond to a daily growth rhythm; Type C lines reflect a subdaily growth pattern. Vital staining enabled calcification of the operculum to be followed, and the speed of deposition has been estimated. The textural organization of the organic and mineral phases varies according to operculum area and depends on local speed of growth. In those areas of rapid growth (more than 20 μm d-1), deposits are “cone-shaped” and interlocked, and in those areas where growth is slower (less than 20 μm d-1), this type of organization disappears and is replaced by a regular organization without “cone-shaped” deposits. The number of daily growth lines, counted on 66 opercula, allowed us to accurately assess individual age and longevity in this species, which did not exceed 3 yr in our sample.
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