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Abnormal periostracum secretion during the mineralization process of the pearl in the blacklip pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2000

Michel Comps ,
Christian Herbaut  and
Angélique Fougerouse
Michel Comps
Affiliation:
Ifremer, chemin de Maguelonne, 34250 Palavas-Les-Flots, France
Christian Herbaut
Affiliation:
CUPF, BP 6570, Faa, Aeroport Tahiti, French Polynesia
Angélique Fougerouse
Affiliation:
SRM, BP 20-98713, Papeete Tahiti, French Polynesia
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Abstract

Whitish parasite-like bodies (PLBs), 0.5–2 μm in size, were detected within the pearl bag of some grafted pearl oysters, Pinctada margaritifera, from Takapoto island (French Polynesia). Histological and ultrastructural investigations have revealed that these bodies consisted of lamellar organic material locally secreted by some epithelial cells of the pearl bag. The fine structure and the formation of these bodies are described. The causes of this abnormal secretion of organic mater, which actually corresponds to periostracum, are not presently known. No parasite nor infectious micro-organism was found associated with the PLBs.

Keywords

Pinctada margaritiferapearl bagperiostracum
Type
Research Article
Information
Aquatic Living Resources , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , January 2000 , pp. 49 - 55
Copyright
© Elsevier, Inra, Ifremer, Cemagref, Ird, Cnrs, 2000

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