The ligament of Cochlodesma praetenue (Pulteney)

Abstract

In a recent paper (Allen, 1958) the ligament of Cochlodesma praetenue (Pulteney) as shown to have unusual features, the significance of which was not appreciated at that time. Examination of its structure shows that a further description is necessary.Studies by Owen, Trueman & Yonge (1953), Owen (1958,1959), and Yonge (1953, 1957) have made clear the basic structure of the ligament of the adult bivalve. Primarily the ligament is composed of an inner layer covered by the anterior andposterior outer layers and the periostracum. The inner layer is secreted by the epithelium of the mantle isthmus, the outer layers are secreted by the outer surface of the outer mantle fold within the depths of the mantle embayments at either end of the mantle isthmus, and the periostracum is secreted by the inner surface of the outer mantle fold. This primary ligament may be secondarily extended anteriorly and/or posteriorly by fusion of the mantle margins and may involve extension by periostracum, or extension by fusion layer.