An unusual interlocked biomineral interface in bivalve shells.

ABSTRACT: Bivalve ligaments are unusual biominerals that have evolved to facilitate the opening of the two shell valves when required. Over a long period of time, their microstructures have been well investigated and are generally considered to consist of an organic lamellar layer and an aragonitic fibrous layer (FL), where the fibers are mutually parallel with a uniform diameter of ca. 100 nm. However, the microstructure of the ligament-valve interface (LVI) has received little attention. Here, using optical microscopy, FE-SEM, powder XRD, and FTIR, we focus on the LVI's microstructure as well as its chemical composition in the clam Cyclina sinensis. We find that: (1) the LVI of this clam consists of discrete bands of coarse aragonite fibers with a variable diameter of 0.4-7.6 μm surr

SUBMITTER: Huang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12577713 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature