Formation of the prismatic layer in the freshwater bivalveHyriopsis cumingii: the feedback of crystal growth on organic matrix

Abstract The squeezing hypothesis and the organic frameworks preformation hypothesis propose two different mechanisms to explain the interaction between organic frameworks and crystals during biomineralization of the prismatic layer of the mollusk shell. In this study, we began to study H yriopsis cumingii shell formation and discover that this species seemed to follow the squeezing hypothesis. During the formation of the aragonite prismatic layer in the freshwater bivalve H . cumingii , we found that crystal growth was involved in controlling initiation of formation of the interprismatic organic membranes. First, newly formed crystals were embedded in the periostracum. Next, the interprismatic organic membranes of the prismatic layer were produced via squeezing between neighboring crystals. The organic matrix secreted by the mantle continuously self‐assembled into the interprismatic organic membranes as the crystals grew. In the mature stage, the interprismatic organic membranes were shaped by crystal growth. These findings provide evidence to support the squeezing hypothesis and add to the existing knowledge about interactions that occur at the organic–inorganic interfaces during mollusk shell biomineralization.