{"title":"Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) after Incubation Eggshell in Andaman Sea, Thailand Study: Microanalysis on Ultrastructure and Elemental Composition","authors":"M. Areekijseree, M. Pumipaiboon, S. Nuamsukon, K. Kittiwattanawong, C. Thongchai, S. Sikiwat, T. Chuen-Im","volume":80,"journal":"International Journal of Bioengineering and Life Sciences","pagesStart":820,"pagesEnd":825,"ISSN":"1307-6892","URL":"https:\/\/publications.waset.org\/pdf\/16583","abstract":"
There are few studies on eggshell of leatherback turtle
\r\nwhich is endangered species in Thailand. This study was focusing on
\r\nthe ultrastructure and elemental composition of leatherback turtle
\r\neggshells collected from Andaman Sea Shore, Thailand during the
\r\nnesting season using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Three
\r\neggshell layers of leatherback turtle; the outer cuticle layer or
\r\ncalcareous layer, the middle layer or middle multistrata layer and the
\r\ninner fibrous layer were recognized. The outer calcareous layer was
\r\nthick and porosity which consisted of loose nodular units of various
\r\ncrystal shapes and sizes. The loose attachment between these units
\r\nresulted in numerous spaces and openings. The middle layer was
\r\ncompact thick with several multistrata and contained numerous
\r\nopenings connecting to both outer cuticle layer and inner fibrous
\r\nlayer. The inner fibrous layer was compact and thin, and composed of
\r\nnumerous reticular fibers. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis
\r\ndetector revealed energy spectrum of X-rays character emitted from
\r\nall elements on each layer. The percentages of all elements were
\r\nfound in the following order: carbon (C) > oxygen (O) > calcium
\r\n(Ca) > sulfur (S) > potassium (K) > aluminum (Al) > iodine (I) >
\r\nsilicon (Si) > chlorine (Cl) > sodium (Na) > fluorine (F) >
\r\nphosphorus (P) > magnesium (Mg). Each layer consisted of high
\r\npercentage of CaCO3 (approximately 98%) implying that it was
\r\nessential for turtle embryonic development. A significant difference
\r\nwas found in the percentages of Ca and Mo in the 3layers. Moreover,
\r\ntransition metal, metal and toxic non-metal contaminations were
\r\nfound in leatherback turtle eggshell samples. These were palladium
\r\n(Pd), molybdenum (Mo), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), and
\r\nbromine (Br). The contamination elements were seen in the outer
\r\nlayers except for Mo. All elements were readily observed and
\r\nmapped using Smiling program. X-ray images which mapped the
\r\nlocation of all elements were showed. Calcium containing in the
\r\neggshell appeared in high contents and was widely distributing in
\r\nclusters of the outer cuticle layer to form CaCO3 structure. Moreover,
\r\nthe accumulation of Na and Cl was observed to form NaCl which was
\r\nwidely distributing in 3 eggshell layers. The results from this study
\r\nwould be valuable on assessing the emergent success in this
\r\nendangered species.<\/p>\r\n","references":"
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