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Preparation of large bivalve specimens for scanning electron microscopy using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)

From National Research Council Canada

DOIResolve DOI: https://doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000(2006)25[639:POLBSF]2.0.CO;2
AuthorSearch for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1
Affiliation
  1. National Research Council Canada. NRC Institute for Marine Biosciences
FormatText, Article
Subjectbivalve; scanning electron microscopy; method; hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS); ciliation; shrinkage
Abstract
Treatment with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) for drying specimens for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is described for relatively large (>20 mm shell height, SH) individuals of two scallop species, Placopecten magellanicus and Argopecten irradians. The traditionally used method of critical point drying (CPD) has been applied successfully for smaller specimens (~350 μm up to 15 mm SH); however, occasional rupture of the mantle occurred in these specimens. Furthermore, size limitation of the CPD chamber did not permit preparation of larger individuals. An alternative experimental protocol using HMDS was tested, which successfully preserves the morphology of the bivalve feeding organs, mantle surface and the cilia of the two scallop species with negligible shrinkage and few artifacts. Another benefit of this method is that the number of specimens and sample size is not restricted.
Publication date
In
  • Journal of Shellfish Research 25, no. 2 (1 August 2006): 639–641.
LanguageEnglish
Peer reviewedYes
NRC numberNRCC 42613
1465
NPARC number3538379
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Record identifier96dc868b-9bdf-40a6-82c7-e9abfd56b91e
Record created2009-03-01
Record modified2020-04-22
Date modified: