Radular Morphology among Chiton in Family Mopillidae

Abstract

The Mollusca radula is an intricate organ composed of several rows of teeth running along a chitinous ribbon. Several studies have looked at radula of gastropods but fewer have looked at the radula of Polyplacophora. An observational study comparing morphological differences between species of Mopalian radula, including Mopalia muscosa, Mopalia lignosa and Mopalia ciliata, was conducted. Observations of light microscopy photographs, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) photographs, tooth impressions and video were performed in order to look at differences among species. The results show some major morphological differences among species, such that M. muscosa had more stout teeth whereas M. lignosa had short and narrow teeth and M. ciliata had long, slender teeth. Until now, the differences among the three species of Mopalia have remained unseen.