Investigation on histology and histochchemistry ofmantel edge of Chlamysruschenbergerii

Calcium is involved in the formation of the shell of bivalves. The shell is produced by the mantle. Despite the undeniable importance of mantle and calcium in the formation of the shell, in Iran no studies have clarified the structure of the mantle edge and detection of calcium in it. The present aimed to provide a detailed description of the structure of the mantle edge and identify the presence of calcium in the important species of Persian Gulf, Chlamys ruschenbergerii. The anterior and posterior segments and the center segment of the mantle edge of each valve were cut, and the tissue sections were stained with Harris Hematoxylin and Eosin. Alizarin red S and Von Kossa methods were used to detect calcium content in the mantle. The result showed that the mantle edge of Chlamys ruschenbergerii consists of outer, middle and inner fold. Each of the three folds has a different shape and size. It was observed the differences in the structure, height and the kind of epithelium in various area of the mantle edge. Calcium was not detected in the mantle of Chlamys ruschenbergerii.