Structure and composition of the aragonitic crossed lamellar layers in six species of Bivalvia and Gastropoda

The microstructures, the chemical composition and the soluble organic matrices of the aragonitic crossed lamellar layers of the shells of six species of molluscs have been studied. The microstructures and chemical contents are similar, whereas the quantities of organic matrices are variable. All the soluble matrices are glycoproteins, with low S contents. Their molecular weights, the protein-sugar ratios and acidities are variable. Neither a gastropod nor a bivalve pattern is recognized. The diversity of the organic matrices probably plays a main role in the fossilization processes of mollusc shells. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.