ISSN:
1573-9708
Keywords:
bivalves
;
calcified skeletons
;
immunology
;
phylogeny
;
Pinna nobilis
;
shellmatrices
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
Notes:
Abstract The dissolution of calcified invertebrate skeletons releases an elaborate mixture of proteins, glycoproteins and polysaccharides. These ‘skeletal matrix’ macromolecules are thought to play a major role in calcification and were widely used for phylogenetical studies. We tested the reactivity of water-soluble macromolecules from a wide range of invertebrate skeletons with two antisera raised against the shell matrix of the bivalve, Pinna nobilis. Projections of our results on the phylogenetical tree of Starobogatov (1992) show for the first time that, during evolution, antigenic determinants may degenerate in some stocks while they remain intact in others. The phylogenetic implications of these patterns of disjunct degeneration are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1003882928828
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