title: A layered structure in the organic envelopes of the prismatic layer of the shell of the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera (Mollusca, Bivalvia).
abstract: The organic interprismatic layers of the mollusc Pinctada margaritifera are studied using a variety of highly spatially-resolved techniques to establish their composition and structure. Our results show that both the interlamellar sheets of the nacre and interprismatic envelopes form layered structures. Additionally, these organic layers are neither homogeneous in composition, nor continuous in their structure. Both structures play a major role in the biomineralization process and act as a boundary between mineral units.
authors.affiliation: UMR IDES 8148, Bat. 504, Université Paris XI-Orsay, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France. yannicke.dauphin@u-psud.fr
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dauphin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunelle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cotte
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cuif
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Farre
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Laprévote
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meibom
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salomé
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D049911:Pinctada / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D018629:Spectrometry, Mass, Secondary Ion; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D056928:X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D009930:Organic Chemicals