Ultrastructure of the eggshell of the leatherback turtle, (Dermochelys coriacea)

The ultrastructure of eggshell of the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The basic structure was found to conform to that described for other chelonians. The eggshell consisted of an inner organic membranes and an outer inorganic or mineral...

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Main Author: Chan, E. H.
Format: Conference or Workshop Item
Language:English
Published: 1989
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/19317/1/ID%2019317.pdf
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author Chan, E. H.
author_facet Chan, E. H.
author_sort Chan, E. H.
collection UPM
description The ultrastructure of eggshell of the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The basic structure was found to conform to that described for other chelonians. The eggshell consisted of an inner organic membranes and an outer inorganic or mineral layer of calcium carbonate deposited normally as aragonite crystals and occasionally as calcite which is considered an aberrant crystal form. The mineral layer is covered in part by an amorphous layer of organic material. In some samples, theouter organic matrix was accompanied by a layer of sperical units of variable size which frequently coalesced to form a cement-like structure. This additional layer has not been described for the leatherback or other chelonians,but is encountered in eggs of avians which have undergone stress. The possible cause and effects of this abnormal structure is discussed.
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format Conference or Workshop Item
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publishDate 1989
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spelling upm.eprints-193172015-01-06T00:53:34Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/19317/ Ultrastructure of the eggshell of the leatherback turtle, (Dermochelys coriacea) Chan, E. H. The ultrastructure of eggshell of the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The basic structure was found to conform to that described for other chelonians. The eggshell consisted of an inner organic membranes and an outer inorganic or mineral layer of calcium carbonate deposited normally as aragonite crystals and occasionally as calcite which is considered an aberrant crystal form. The mineral layer is covered in part by an amorphous layer of organic material. In some samples, theouter organic matrix was accompanied by a layer of sperical units of variable size which frequently coalesced to form a cement-like structure. This additional layer has not been described for the leatherback or other chelonians,but is encountered in eggs of avians which have undergone stress. The possible cause and effects of this abnormal structure is discussed. 1989 Conference or Workshop Item NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/19317/1/ID%2019317.pdf Chan, E. H. (1989) Ultrastructure of the eggshell of the leatherback turtle, (Dermochelys coriacea). In: Seminar on Advances in Fisheries and Marine Science, 10-11 Mar. 1989, Malacca Village Resort, Air Keroh. .
spellingShingle Chan, E. H.
Ultrastructure of the eggshell of the leatherback turtle, (Dermochelys coriacea)
title Ultrastructure of the eggshell of the leatherback turtle, (Dermochelys coriacea)
title_full Ultrastructure of the eggshell of the leatherback turtle, (Dermochelys coriacea)
title_fullStr Ultrastructure of the eggshell of the leatherback turtle, (Dermochelys coriacea)
title_full_unstemmed Ultrastructure of the eggshell of the leatherback turtle, (Dermochelys coriacea)
title_short Ultrastructure of the eggshell of the leatherback turtle, (Dermochelys coriacea)
title_sort ultrastructure of the eggshell of the leatherback turtle dermochelys coriacea
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/19317/1/ID%2019317.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT chaneh ultrastructureoftheeggshelloftheleatherbackturtledermochelyscoriacea