Ontogenetic Changes in Shell Microstructures in the Cold Seep-Associated Bivalve,Conchocele bisecta(Bivalvia: Thyasiridae)

Abstract

We described the shell microstructure of the cold seep-associated bivalve Conchocele bisecta using the acetate peel method and scanning electron microscopy, and revealed complex microstructural changes with ontogeny. The shell of the bivalve has outer, middle, and inner layers that consist of aragonite. The outer layer consists of spherulites and spindles of various sizes and shapes; these microstructures are identified as spherulitic, planar spherulitic, spherulitic prismatic, and spindle-like structures. The middle layer is characterized by cone complex crossed lamellar structure in the outer part and crossed lamellar structure in the inner part. The inner layer is composed of cone complex crossed lamellar, fine complex crossed lamellar, and irregular prismatic structures.On the basis of the observations from the umbo to the ventral margin of each shell layer, we recognized two growth stages that are divided by microstructural distributions in the outer and inner layers and the positions of disturbance rings. The early growth stage is characterized by spherulitic structure in the outer layer, cone complex crossed lamellar structure in the inner layer, and scarce disturbance rings. The late growth stage, on the other hand, has specific microstructures (planar spherulitic, spherulitic prismatic, and spindle-like structures) that lie as sheeted layers within the spherulitic structure of the outer layer, and the disturbance rings are situated close to specific microstructures in the outer layer. In addition, alternations between areas that are cone complex crossed lamellar, thin-layered irregular prismatic, and fine complex crossed lamellar structures are observed in the inner layer. The characteristics of both growth stages indicate that shell growth rate is more variable in the late stage than in the early stage, and that growth rate decreases from the early to late stage, possibly caused by a physiological change. This study suggests that it is important to examine shell microstructural distribution to reveal shell growth and life history.