Chaetopleura apiculata explained

Chaetopleura apiculata is a species of small chiton in the family Chaetopleuridae. It is a marine mollusc.

Distribution

• Gulf of Mexico^[1]
• North West Atlantic^[1]

Description

Teeth of the radula of this species were studied using atom-probe tomography to analyze the chemical structure; the results were published in 2011.^[2] It was shown that the teeth contained fibers surrounded by magnetite, and some of them also contained sodium or magnesium.^[2] This was probably the first time that atom-probe tomography was used in the study of a radula and in biominerals.

Notes and References

1. Schwabe, E. (2010). Chaetopleura (Chaetopleura) apiculata (Say in Conrad, 1834). In: Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S.; Rosenberg, G. (2010) World Marine Mollusca database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=159930 on 2011-01-27
2. Gordon L. M. & Joester D. (2011). "Nanoscale chemical tomography of buried organic–inorganic interfaces in the chiton tooth". Nature 469: 194-197. .