Abstract
Aragonite plays an important role in the biomineralization of serpulid polychaetes. Aragonitic structures are present in a wide range of serpulid species, but they mostly belong to one clade. Aragonitic structures are present in a wide range of marine environments, including the deep ocean. Aragonitic tube microstructures were studied using a scanning electron microscope. X-ray powder diffraction was used to identify the aragonite. Aragonite is used to build five different types of microstructures in serpulid tubes. The most common aragonitic irregularly oriented prismatic structure (AIOP) is also, evolutionarily, the most primitive. Some aragonitic microstructures, such as the spherulitic prismatic (SPHP) structure, have likely evolved from the AIOP structure. Aragonitic microstructures in serpulids are far less numerous than calcitic microstructures, and they lack the complexity of advanced calcitic microstructures. The reason why aragonitic microstructures have remained less evolvable than calcitic microstructures is currently unknown, considering their fit with the current aragonite sea conditions (Paleogene–recent).
Highlights
IntroductionIn temperate regions of the ocean, serpulids can have an important role in the carbonate sink [1]
Aragonite in Producing theIn temperate regions of the ocean, serpulids can have an important role in the carbonate sink [1]
The aim of this paper is to identify aragonitic structures among the known serpulid microstructures
Summary
In temperate regions of the ocean, serpulids can have an important role in the carbonate sink [1]. Serpulids start to build calcareous tubes in their post-larval stage [2]. Serpulid worms are not attached to their tubes and can move freely within them. Serpulid tubes lack an external organic cover, such as periostracum of molluscs and barchiopods; their tube interior is covered by a thick organic sheet [3]. The serpulid tubes are composed of aragonite, calcite or a mixture of both polymorphs [4,5]. The mineralogical composition of serpulid tubes depends on their phylogenetic position (Figure 1), so that dominantly calcitic species form one clade, whereas dominantly aragonitic species form the other clade (i.e., Chitinopoma, Filograna, Metavermilia, Protis, Protula, Salmacina, and Vermiliopsis) [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call