title: Structure and composition of the nacre-prisms transition in the shell of Pinctada margaritifera (Mollusca, Bivalvia).
abstract: A microstructural, mineralogical, and chemical study of the nacre-prisms boundary in the shells of Pinctada margaritifera shows that this boundary is not an abrupt transition, but that there exists a distinct fibrous layer with clear topographic structures and evidence of growth lines. A three-step biomineralization process is proposed that involves changes in the chemical and biochemical composition of the last growth increments of the calcite prisms, formation of the fibrous layer, and development of regular tablets in the nacreous layer.
authors.affiliation: UMR 8148 IDES, Bât 504, Université Paris XI-Orsay, 91405, Orsay Cedex, France. yannicke.dauphin@u-psud.fr
authors.forename: Yannicke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dauphin
authors.forename: Alexander D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Marine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cotte
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cuif
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meibom
authors.forename: Murielle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salomé
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Susini
authors.forename: C Terry
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D049911:Pinctada / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry*; D013053:Spectrophotometry
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals