SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF THE REGENERATED SHELL OF THE MARINE ARCHAEOGASTROPOD, TEGULA.

Abstract

A window was cut in the first body whorl of the marine snail, Tegula, to induce shell regeneration. At various intervals after the shell window was cut, the window with the regenerated material and the shell surrounding it were prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Initial crystal deposition occurred in association with an organic matrix and appeared as small, spindle-shaped crystals formed by the aggregation of needle-like subunits. The spindles were frequently aggregated into stellate clusters that coalesced to form a sheet of mineralized tissue. After about two months of regeneration, dumbbell-shaped crystal aggregates and spherulites were apparent on the surface of the regenerated shell. The regenerated shell assumed a normal structure after at least four months of regeneration. Crystal deposition also occurred on the normal shell bordering the shell window. The crystals assumed several forms, and their orientation appeared to be determined by the microtopography of the underlying shell.