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Scanning Electron Microscopy and X‐ray Diffraction Studies of the Macular Crystals in the Chondrostean Fish Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Smith)
Author(s) -
Marmo Francesco,
Ariani Antonio P.,
Balsamo Giuseppe,
Avallone Bice
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1992.tb01083.x
Subject(s) - aragonite , vaterite , biology , calcium carbonate , fish <actinopterygii> , x ray , scanning electron microscope , crystallography , calcite , zoology , anatomy , materials science , optics , chemistry , fishery , paleontology , physics , composite material
Morphologic and crystallographic studies of the otoliths of the reed‐fish Erpetoichthys calabaricus showed (1) aragonite statoliths with a serrated surface, and (2) two populations of statoconia: one of numerous discoid biconvex crystals of vaterite, the other of pseudohexagonal crystals of aragonite. We suggest that the presence of two calcium carbonate polymorphs in the statoacoustic organs of this archaic fish may have an evolutionary, as well as a systematic and functional significance.