An SEM image of the trochophore of
Haliotis asinina 11 hours post fertilization, with calcified protoconch (pc) prior to torsion.
Protoconch of
Haliotis asinina when the torsion is complete.
A protoconch (meaning first or earliest or original shell) is an embryonic or larval shell which occurs in some classes of molluscs, e.g., the initial chamber of an ammonite or the larval shell of a gastropod. In older texts it is also called "nucleus". The protoconch may sometimes consist of several whorls, but when this is the case, the whorls show no growth lines.
The whorls of the adult shell, which are formed after the protoconch, are known as the teleoconch. The teleoconch starts forming when the larval gastropod settles and becomes a juvenile. Quite often there is a visible line of demarcation where the protoconch ends and the teleoconch begins, and there may be a noticeable change in sculpture, or a sudden appearance of sculpture at that point.
In some gastropod groups (such as the Architectonicidae), the teleoconch whorls spiral in the opposite direction to the protoconch. In those cases, the shell is called heterostrophic.
In species which have a veliger or swimming larval stage which hatches out of egg capsules, there are two parts to the protoconch. The first part of the protoconch (which is formed within the embryonic egg capsule) is called protoconch 1, while the part that is formed after the larva has hatched is called protoconch 2. There is often a different sculpture or ornamentation on protoconch 1 compared with protoconch 2, and this can be distinguished under the microscope.
The structure of the protoconch has been widely used as a discriminating feature in gastropod systematics.
The homologous structure in bivalves (clams) is called the prodissoconch.
Examples
Comparison of the whole shell and the protoconch of Atlanta lesueurii:
Apical view of the whole shell.
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Detail of apical view of the same shell showing clearly visible protoconch, that has 2¼ whorls
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Growth series of Caecum glabrum showing protoconch in bottom image.
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References
Cephalopod anatomy
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Shell |
Shell types |
- External shells: Ammonoid shell
- Argonautid eggcase
Nautiloid shell
- Internal shells: Belemnoid guard
- Cirrate shell
- Cuttlebone
- Gladius (pen)
- Spirula shell
- Stylet
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External features |
- Aperture
- Apex
- Callus
- Lirae
- Periostracum
- Sculpture
- Spire
- Sutures
- Umbilicus
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Internal features |
- Body chamber
- Camerae
- Nacre
- Phragmocone
- Septa
- Siphuncle
- Whorls
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Mantle and funnel
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External anatomy |
- Dermal structures
- Fins (wings)
- Flotation devices ("secondary fins")
- Funnel–mantle locking apparatus
- Tail
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Internal anatomy |
- Branchial hearts
- Ctenidia (gills)
- Hepatopancreas (digestive gland)
Ink sac and ink
- Needham's sac
- Nephridia ("kidneys")
- Nidamental glands
- Osphradium
- Pericardial glands
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Head and limbs
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Brachial crown |
Arms
Tentacles
- Suckers and hooks
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Buccal region |
- Aptychus
- Beak
- Odontophore
- Radula
- Spadix and antispadix
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Occipital region |
- Nuchal crest (occipital crest)
- Nuchal folds (occipital folds)
- Occipital membrane
- Olfactory organ
- Nuchal organ
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Other parts |
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General |
- Chromatophores
- Photophores
- Nervous system
- Squid giant axon
- Squid giant synapse
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Developmental stages: Spawn → Paralarva (Doratopsis stage) → Juvenile → Subadult → Adult • Egg fossils • Protoconch (embryonic shell)
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Gastropod anatomy
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Shell |
- Aperture
- Apex
- Body whorl
- Callus
- Columella
- Lip
- Lira
- Nacre
- Periostracum
- Peristome
- Planispiral
- Plait
- Protoconch
- Sculpture
- Selenizone
- Siphonal canal
- Siphonal notch
- Spire
- Stromboid notch
- Suture
- Umbilicus
- Valve
- Varix
- Whorl
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Other hard parts |
- Clausilium
- Love dart
- Operculum
- Pearl
- Radula
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External soft parts |
- Caryophyllidia
- Caudal mucous pit
- Cerata
- Cnidosac
- Mantle
- Mentum
- Notum
- Parapodium
- Pneumostome
- Rhinophore
- Semper's organ
- Siphon
- Suprapedal gland
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Internal soft parts |
- Circulatory system of gastropods
- Crop
- Ctenidium
- Digestive system of gastropods
- Diverticula
- Excretory system of gastropods
- Gastric shield
- Hancock's organ
- Hepatopancreas
- Hypobranchial gland
- Nephridium
- Nervous system of gastropods
- Nidamental gland
- Odontophore
- Oesophageal pouch
- Osphradium
- Reproductive system of gastropods
- Respiratory system of gastropods
- Sensory organs of gastropods
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Other |
- Epiphragm
- Pseudofeces
- Torsion
- Circumesophageal nerve ring
- Trochophore
- Tyrian purple
- Veliger
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