Use of aspartic acid racemization and post-bomb 14 C to reconstruct growth rate and longevity of the deep-water slit shell Entemnotrochus adansonianus

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

1

Scientific paper

Slit shells are living fossils which inhabit the continental slope. Aspartic acid racemization in the nacreous layer of the slit shell Entemnotrochus adansonianus is shown to occur at a remarkably high rate, sufficient to provide annual resolution of the ages of samples taken along the growth spiral of the shells, thus providing information on growth rates and longevity. Calibration of the racemization rate was obtained by 14 C analysis of a post-bomb specimen. The form of the racemization curve was determined by a heating experiment at 60°C; a cubic transformation of the D/L values was found to be linear with respect to time. In three specimens in which a detailed series of samples was analyzed, juvenile growth was found to be very rapid and adult growth 1-2 orders of magnitude slower; adulthood is reached in 2-4 years. Analysis of lip and apical samples of additional shells (total n = 9) shows that individuals reaching adulthood have life spans averaging six years (maximum: 14 yr). The life histories of these deep-water gastropods are thus similar to littoral taxa. Analysis of the prismatic layer shows that this racemizes at a much slower rate than the nacreous layer.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Use of aspartic acid racemization and post-bomb 14 C to reconstruct growth rate and longevity of the deep-water slit shell Entemnotrochus adansonianus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Use of aspartic acid racemization and post-bomb 14 C to reconstruct growth rate and longevity of the deep-water slit shell Entemnotrochus adansonianus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Use of aspartic acid racemization and post-bomb 14 C to reconstruct growth rate and longevity of the deep-water slit shell Entemnotrochus adansonianus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-885549

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.