The use of micro-computed tomography as a minimally invasive tool for anatomical study of bivalves (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

Micro-computed tomography or micro-CT is a minimally invasive technique capable of generating 2D images and 3D tomographic reconstructions of small-sized animals without destroying the physical specimens. The technique has been previously applied to the study of bivalves, and here we extend it to study the anatomy of eight anomalodesmatan species through the exclusive use of a tomographic approach. Freshly fixed and museum specimens of Anomalodesmata, one of the least understood clades of bivalves, were selected and scanned. Tomographic anatomical descriptions were generated for Pandora pinna (Pandoridae), Lyonsia alvarezii (Lyonsiidae), Allogramma formosa (Lyonsiellidae), Trigonulina ornata (Verticordiidae), Poromya rostrata (Poromyidae), Cetoconcha spinosula, Cetoconcha aff. smithii (Cetoconchidae) and Cuspidaria glacialis (Cuspidariidae). The main internal anatomical features often evaluated for anomalodesmatans were documented. The tomographic images allowed for a detailed description of anatomical structures, including the mantle, ctenidia, labial palps and siphons, as well as the digestive, reproductive and nervous systems. This non-destructive technique thus proved to be an efficient tool for describing the anatomy of bivalves. The potential of micro-CT in concert with the constant development of new scanners, bring fresh perspectives to the anatomical study of bivalves. Poromya spinosula is transferred to Cetoconcha and Cetoconchidae, as Cetoconcha spinosula (Thiele, 1912) comb. nov.