The Ligament of Pecten

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Abstract
The ligament of Pecten maximus consists of two layers, the outermost situated along the extensive dorsal margin of the valves, the inner between them at the umbo. The former, composed largely of tanned proteins, is laminated and is somewhat similar to the outer layer of other ligaments. The inner layer is divided into three parts, a large central non-calcified structure and two lateral calcified regions attaching the former to the valves. The lateral parts resemble the entire inner layer of the ligament of most other lamellibranchs, which is generally uniformly calcified. The central region, consisting mainly of a tanned protein complex, is gelatinous in appearance and is characteristic of P. maximus and associated species. This type of structure is particularly suitable for the rapid and frequent opening of the valves, and its relatively high efficiency may be largely attributed to the non-calcified region of the inner layer.

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