Joyce,

The odontophore is a chitinous structure that supports the radula from
the inside, pretty much like when one uses a block of wood to give
shape and rigidity to a sheet of sandpaper. It cannot be seen. Fabio
Moretzsohn has done studies on the odontophores of cowries, he may be
able to elaborate more on the subject.

Cheers,

José

On Sun, Sep 5, 2010 at 11:41 PM, joycematthys <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello, Conch-L'ers
> I am getting ready to do a program on radulae for our Oregon Shell Club next
> week.  Last year I got some video footage of a cowrie radula but now after
> readying some literature about the radula and the odontophore, I am
> wondering what I am seeing on this footage.  Is what I thought was the
> radula really the odontophore? I have footage of a abalone that shows the
> radula working in a typical manner and now I am confused.  I have posted a
> clip of the cowrie video clip on
> Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVjfp_3gNZ4  What do you think?
> Joyce Matthys
> T! he Secret Lives of Seashells
> [log in to unmask]



--
_______________________________________________________
José H. Leal, Ph.D., Director
The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum
Editor, The Nautilus
www.shellmuseum.org

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Sanibel, FL 33957 USA
(239)395-2233
fax (239)395-6706

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