Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the differences of the conchiolin layer, prismatic layer and nacreous layer deposited within the shell of the freshwater family Unionidae. shether they possess species-specific characteristics and differences of the microstructure of these layers, A Scanning electron microscopic obwervations were conducted on seven species. The results indicate that all species possess thin and homogeneous layers within the periostracum. The prismatic layers of these species were composed of ednsely packed prisms. The prismatic layers of the shell in six species were typical shape of prisms. especially Inio douglasiae and Lamprotual gottschei. But, in Unio douglasiae sinuolatus, it was irregular and oblique prism shape.The nacreous layer of weven unionids characterized by possession of three types by lamillae shape: thin and homogeneous on genus Anodonta(0.4 pm size of lamella), Unio(1.3pm) and Lamprotual (1.7pm), homogeneous in shape and irregular in size of lamillae in Lanceolaria(1.0 pm)and irregulat in shape and size in Solenaia(0.2-0.4 pm). The microstructure of the naceous layer may be useful as a taxonomic character at the generic level.