Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate Statoliths in Aurelia

Abstract
The discovery that Aurelia developing in media lacking sulfate failed to form statoliths emphasized the need for the accurate identification of the chemical composition of statoliths. Statoliths dissected from Aurelia medusae were studied by X-ray diffraction, X-ray spectrometry, and polarizing microscopy for chemical composition. The results from each method indicated that the statoliths were calcium sulfate dihydrate, CaSO4[center dot]2H2O. No trace of caclium phosphates, carbonates, or oxalates previously reported in jellyfish was found.

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