Abstract
Attention is focussed on a novel tool to study evolutionary trends in organisms. Emphasis is placed on the comparative biochemistry of shell proteins. It is tentatively concluded that the organic matrix of molluscan shells is predominantly a mixture of “secreted” collagen and k-m-e-f type proteins, and to a lesser extent of mucopolysaccharides. Each species has its characteristic organic pattern. Thus, the heterogeneity of calcified tissues can be related to molluscan phylogeny and evolution.
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Die Arbeit wurde ermöglicht durch finanzielle Beihilfen der “National Aeronautics and Space Administration” und der “American Chemical Society (Petroleum Research Fund)”. Den genannten Organisationen sei hiermit gedankt. Contribution No. 1777 The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Mass.
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Degens, E.T., Schmidt, H. Die Paläobiochemie, ein neues Arbeitsgebiet der Evolutionsforschung. Paläont. Z. 40, 218–229 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02988172
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02988172