SHELL MICROSTRUCTURE OF MYTILIDS (BIVALVIA) FROM DEEP-SEA HYDROTHERMAL VENT AND COLD-WATER SULFIDE METHANE SEEP ENVIRONMENTS/

The shell microstructures of 6 mytilid species from deep-sea hydrother mal vent and cold-water sulfide/methane seep sites is characterized by scanning electron microscopy Examination of fractured and sectioned s pecimens reveals similar shell microstructures in distinct arrangement s. The shell microstrucctures of the mytilids investigated in this stu dy consist of outer fibrous prismatic and inner nacreous structures, w hich underlie a periostracal layer. Simple prismatic structure, compri sing the adductor and pallial myostraca, is also present. The shell mi crostructures of these species exhibit similar complexity as microstru ctures of the previously described vent mussel Bathymodiolus thermophi lus Kenk and Wilson, 1985.