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Calcite in the statoconia of amphibians: A detailed analysis in the frog Rana esculenta

Cell and Tissue Research volume 233, pages 35–43 (1983)Cite this article

Summary

The otoconia of Amphibia, especially of the frog Rana esculenta, were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM studies showed that the membranous labyrinth of Amphibia contains two populations of crystals, which can easily be distinguished by their forms. The X-ray diffraction data indicated that these two populations consist of calcite and aragonite; the endolymphatic sac, the saccule and the lagena contain aragonite, whereas calcite is only found in the otolithic membrane of the utricle. The genetic and functional significance of the existence of two crystalline forms of calcium carbonate in the membranous labyrinth are discussed.

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Affiliations

  1. Chair of Histology and Embryology, Institute of General Biology and Genetics, Italy

    Francesco Marmo

  2. Second Chair of Histology and Embryology, Institute of General Biology and Genetics, Italy

    Giuseppe Balsamo

  3. Institute of Mineralogy of the University, Naples, Italy

    Enrico Franco

Authors
  1. Francesco Marmo
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  2. Giuseppe Balsamo
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  3. Enrico Franco
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Marmo, F., Balsamo, G. & Franco, E. Calcite in the statoconia of amphibians: A detailed analysis in the frog Rana esculenta . Cell Tissue Res. 233, 35–43 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222230

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222230

Key words

  • Calcite
  • Otoliths
  • Amphibia
  • X-ray diffraction