Nautilus pearl

[GemGeek]

Well, Steve, it's up to you to convince Barbin to step up to the plate! His place in history is waiting....

 

[SteveM]

His place in history is waiting....

I think he's long gone to bigger and better things!

Here is the referenced paper.

But in Googling Barbin/Nautilus once again I did find another paper confirming usage of CL SEM for pearls.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Here is the referenced paper

The full .pdf wasn't available without registration/payment.

Did you read the entire paper?

I'm curious to how many animals were tested, over what distribution range and season.

He's admitted to environmental factors, but I'm also curious to know which genetic markers brought him to this conclusion.

Temperature and salinity definitely have an effect on shell structure. While I was experimenting with pearls, I was also experimenting with Manilla clams (Venerupus philippinarum) at another lease and a small hatchery/rearing facility at my home. Among the experiments were artificial sea water and another with saline reduction (as low as 15 ppt). Both experiments produced markedly different results in shell structure over the course of a year, even though the food source (http://www.innovativeaqua.com) was consistent.

 

[SteveM]

The full .pdf wasn't available without registration/payment.

Those on-line science journal sites must make plenty of peripheral income off of folks like us?

My point was not to sit in judgment of the work of a preeminent scientist, but rather to take Dr. Barbin's statement at face value, in the 'informed hypothesis' spirit of this thread?especially given his serendipitous choice of Nautilus as subject (actually not so strange, given the importance of CL SEM to the field of paleontology and the study of ammonites).

 

[SteveM]

Hands-on Nautilus contact in New Caledonia by Professor Ward for PBS?

 

[SteveM]

Cut to a little boy holding a magical little black box, peering through an opening at a suspended, illuminated earth-like orb spinning in the blackness?

In studying a new likely Nautilus pearl image today, I adjusted hue/saturation to bring out the surface patterns in greater detail.

Might that be Avatar?

 

[SteveM]

The full .pdf wasn't available without registration/payment.

Did you read the entire paper?

I'm curious to how many animals were tested, over what distribution range and season.

He's admitted to environmental factors, but I'm also curious to know which genetic markers brought him to this conclusion.

Temperature and salinity definitely have an effect on shell structure. While I was experimenting with pearls, I was also experimenting with Manilla clams (Venerupus philippinarum) at another lease and a small hatchery/rearing facility at my home. Among the experiments were artificial sea water and another with saline reduction (as low as 15 ppt). Both experiments produced markedly different results in shell structure over the course of a year, even though the food source (http://www.innovativeaqua.com) was consistent.

Found a book preview that offers substantial complimentary summary information on research in this area.

Nautilus: The Biology and Paleobiology of a Living Fossil
[FONT=Lucida Grande, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial]W. Bruce Saunders and Neal H. Landman, Reprint with additions 2009

Chapter 8: Biomineralization and Systemic Implications
Rex E. Crick and Keith O. Mann
3. Trace Elements and Biomineralization
[/FONT]
Apparently the major factor in neutralizing environmental influence in Nautilus shell composition is the relatively extreme depth of the Nautilus habitat, where ocean minerality and temperature is fairly homogenous. So much about the Nautilus is unique?

The Crick/Mann chapter also provides a wonderful overview of the multiple biomineralization processes going on simultaneously in the Nautilus (nacreous and non-nacreous). Of particular note is the feature known as the 'mural ridge', a non-nacreous structure built on the outer shell wall serving as the attachment point for a new septum prior to the animal's detachment from the previous septum.

That's about a weekend's worth of research?

I'll be meeting with Dr. Ward (referenced 100 times in this book!) for lunch during the coming week. He is also this year's faculty lecturer at the University of Washington, INVITATION for those who might be in the neighborhood!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Found a book preview that offers substantial complimentary summary information on research in this area. ........ Apparently the major factor in neutralizing environmental influence in Nautilus shell composition is the relatively extreme depth of the Nautilus habitat, where ocean minerality and temperature is fairly homogenous. So much about the Nautilus is unique…

The Crick/Mann chapter also provides a wonderful overview of the multiple biomineralization processes going on simultaneously in the Nautilus (nacreous and non-nacreous). Of particular note is the feature known as the 'mural ridge', a non-nacreous structure built on the outer shell wall serving as the attachment point for a new septum prior to the animal's detachment from the previous septum.

Thank you for this reference. Environment is certainly a factor on shell development in any mollusk. I found the section on the septum attachment to be quite intriguing as well. Although parasitation is low at depth and the probability of trauma is anywhere, cephalopods do create blister pearls. This answers one of two questions asked here. The other question being, do nautilus create loose pearls? It seems to me as plausible, although the incidence is exceedingly low. Again, it's just me speculating, but it seems the nautilus' survival as a species is greatly dependant upon the narrow range of temperature, salinity and acid-base balances within it's environment.

I'll be meeting with Dr. Ward (referenced 100 times in this book!) for lunch during the coming week. He is also this year's faculty lecturer at the University of Washington, INVITATION for those who might be in the neighborhood!

How exciting!

Being from BC, it's not far. I'd love to attend, but with the Olympics being so close, I'm swamped with other pressures getting our studios up and running in time. I did notice his background, however. He received part of his degree in Canada and is a contributor to the CBC. Apparently he is the narrator of a five part documentary series in the works. On Monday, I'm going to call a couple of producers and see if we can get a sneak preview.

 

[SteveM]

Although parasitation is low at depth and the probability of trauma is anywhere, cephalopods do create blister pearls. This answers one of two questions asked here. The other question being, do nautilus create loose pearls?

Have to be careful, perhaps a summary is in order.

Only two pearls in the world are officially recognized as originating in a cephalopod, one from Nautilus and the other from Argonauta, both owned by Dr. Tom Stern, Nautilus certified by GIA based upon anecdotal evidence and educated supposition vs. objective science. Certification is rendered suspect by vociferous non-concurrence from the other top pearl labs due to skepticism regarding the possibility of a non-nacreous pearl from what they consider to be a nacreous shell. We are therefore obligated to state that the composition and appearance, if not the very existence of Nautilus pearls, remains to be confirmed!

It bears repeating here that every historic mention of Nautilus pearls, going back to Rumphius centuries ago, describes them as porcelanous. In the ongoing search for specimens, there is no credible source in the entire Western Pacific proposing a nacreous example. This is a conundrum in and of itself, as the Nautilus shell is indeed approximately 70% nacreous between its outer and inner prismatic layers.

But assuming we are beginning to learn something here, the range of Nautilus pearl candidates is certainly comprised of whole pearls, with button being the most common shape, at least among those choice specimens sporting the polar swirl feature.

Parasitation: Predation vs. parasitation seems to be another unique possibility with Nautilus, as the literature includes examples of shells that have been penetrated by drilling, most likely by other cephalopods such as octopus, or Nautilus itself.

 

[pattye]

Unable to attend, but looking forward to your report, Steve. Am quite certain you and Dr. Ward will have much to discuss of great interest to us here!

I do prefer the Nautilus in white, however-----------

 

[SteveM]

Unable to attend, but looking forward to your report, Steve. Am quite certain you and Dr. Ward will have much to discuss of great interest to us here!

I do prefer the Nautilus in white, however-----------

Will report, and promise not to dye the pearl upon receipt!

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

Only two pearls in the world are officially recognized as originating in a cephalopod, one from Nautilus and the other from Argonauta, both owned by Dr. Tom Stern, Nautilus certified by GIA based upon anecdotal evidence and educated supposition vs. objective science. Certification is rendered suspect by vociferous non-concurrence from the other top pearl labs due to skepticism regarding the possibility of a non-nacreous pearl from what they consider to be a nacreous shell. We are therefore obligated to state that the composition and appearance, if not the very existence of Nautilus pearls, remains to be confirmed!

Yes, which is exactly my situation with respect to authenication. Having personally collected each and every pearl from the animals themselves, does not quantify or excuse the claims made by others as to what is natural. In fact, I find most of these claims frustrating. In my case of pearls from M. californianus, anectodal evidence is coupled with objective science, because I can return to one of many sites and find a natural pearl in situ, any given day of the week (weather, tide and licensing permitting). Not so with my octopus pearl. There is nothing to compare it to.

In all honesty, I never gave it much thought initially, mainly because it appeared porcelaneous as opposed to nacreous. Until reading this thread, I had no idea how important the find is, which is why I'm eager to have this pearl examined by experts.

It is not at all like my other natural pearls. Although it's oval from x and y aspects, but the z axis is near perfectly round. Beside the crystalline structure itself, I'm greatly curious to know what is at the nucleus (if anything).

It bears repeating here that every historic mention of Nautilus pearls, going back to Rumphius centuries ago, describes them as porcelanous. In the ongoing search for specimens, there is no credible source in the entire Western Pacific proposing a nacreous example. This is a conundrum in and of itself, as the Nautilus shell is indeed approximately 70% nacreous between its outer and inner prismatic layers.

Concretions are 100% of the case in the operculum of most snails, especially Turban Snails (Turbo petholatus) which are commonly used in first nations art from this area. Operculum is a genetic factor in all animals of the species, but pearls are an anomaly, hence the probablility of varying crystalline structures.

The photo of the mussel section attached earlier in the thread, clearly indicates different color and composition of natural pearls, within millimeters of each other in the same mantle of a single specimen.

But assuming we are beginning to learn something here, the range of Nautilus pearl candidates is certainly comprised of whole pearls, with button being the most common shape, at least among those choice specimens sporting the polar swirl feature.

Parasitation: Predation vs. parasitation seems to be another unique possibility with Nautilus, as the literature includes examples of shells that have been penetrated by drilling from octopus, or Nautilus itself.

Yes. However, there exists a plausibility of a third factor, blood acid-base balance, where no trauma or parasites are present. Even in humans, immunology is not all that well understood, no less in rare invertibrates. Given the nautilus' niche in the environment, the likelyhood of finding one (especially nacreous) is infantesimal. That said, all the more reason to continue searching, diligently.

It seems to me, short of examining thousands and thousands of rare animals for an even rarer occurence within them, our best bet might be to experimentally "culture" cephalopods. The sacrificed animal which yielded mine, was an over-mature male (amputated hectocotylus) thus adding a few extra years to it's lifespan. Enough time for a pearl to form. Octopus are crafty little creatures, though. It would not suprise me in the least they would untie or tear sutures and remove the implants.

On a side note, but interestingly enough, the term "hectocotylus" was coined by French biologist Georges Cuvier in the early 19th century, who first found one embedded in the mantle of a female argonaut, supposing it to be a parasitic worm. I am curious to know, if the blister in the pictures posted in this thread represents this theory. Again, without knowing much about the nautilus, I assume it's lifespan is near the end following copulation, as in other cephalopods, so the possibility of pearls forming from this foreign tissue is unlikely, but might be a result of an unsuccessful mating.

 

[SteveM]

It seems to me, short of examining thousands and thousands of rare animals for an even rarer occurence within them, our best bet might be to experimentally "culture" cephalopods.

Almost as logical as the search for a blister pearl. But there are those multiple mantles to consider?apertural vs. septal?the former being too energetic and mobile to tolerate a cyst long before ejection, and latter (most likely source in nature) completely inaccessible.

I am curious to know, if the blister in the pictures posted in this thread represents this theory. Again, without knowing much about the nautilus, I assume it's lifespan is near the end following copulation, as in other cephalopods, so the possibility of pearls forming from this foreign tissue, is unlikely.

The imbedded 'worms' in the dry shell that purportedly produced the blister pearl do appear to have been coated with a similar material to the thin prismatic (non-nacreous) inner shell layer. We are waiting for GIA/Ken Scarratt's report following micro radiography. Should these prove to be remnants of failed copulation (or otherwise) that would considerably add to the intrigue!

The Nautilus is not like other cephalopods sexually, it begins its reproductive life at maturity (like humans, in its late teens) producing only a dozen or so eggs a year vs thousands for other cephalopods, and continues for a number of years thereafter. (Ward, A Natural History of Nautilus, 1987.)

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

The Nautilus is not like other cephalopods sexually, it begins its reproductive life at maturity (like humans, in its late teens) producing only a dozen or so eggs a year vs thousands for other cephalopods, and continues for a number of years thereafter.

Very interesting.

Like squid, do they release eggs at the level of the benthic zone, held fast by mucous? If so, like octopus, do they attend to them until hatched?

 

[SteveM]

Very interesting.

Like squid, do they release eggs at the level of the benthic zone, held fast by mucous? If so, like octopus, do they attend to them until hatched?

As of 1987, there had been no observation of Nautilus eggs in the wild, and the first hatched in captivity were achieved as recently as 1984. Nautilus hugs the terrain, but migrates daily along the outer reef slopes from 500-700m up to 100m or shallower depending on the time of year (temperature). It was postulated from successful egg hatching in aquarium that eggs would be laid in warmer (shallower) reef elevations. The adults feed there at night but do not remain during daylight hours in order to avoid predators.

 

[SteveM]

Blister!!

Blister!!

I am posting with preliminary, fuzzy cell phone images today, once again to keep things as 'real time' as possible. Photos below were taken in the last day or two on a remote Indonesian island.

Photos are difficult without a remedial familiarity of Nautilus shell anatomy. There is a small dark lump located at the base of the shiny, nacreous (just polished) inner coil of the shell, viewed edge-on. The major field of view is the empty body chamber of what appears to have been a mature Nautilus. The major shell features are the scars where the retractor muscles were attached to the wall.

While not the cosmic spiral on a pedestal as envisioned by Tom, this blister is provocative nonetheless. Its location is as we have come to expect?near the intersection of shell wall and septum and at the mural ridge, composed of non-nacreous prismatic material serving to bind the septum to the wall.

Provocative in particular is the deep bluish color. This thread is rife with photos and references of bluish hints in credible Nautilus candidates?be it blue iridescence in the chatoyance, or blue body color.

It is well known that pearl color is largely due to the pigmentation of the binding matrix, conchiolin. Nautilus nacre is bluish in most species (as those of us with shells or Osmena jewelry can attest).

My conjecture is that conchiolin used in mortaring aragonite to form nacre might also influence an adjacent non-nacreous secreting zone. It has already been proposed that pearls are more likely to form (or at least to be retained) in the septal area, the only Nautilus location where the mantle is immobile for any length of time.

Shell will be received in 'civilization' in three days and is to be forwarded along with some rather spectacular new pearl finds. Will post more photos at that time.

 

[Lagoon Island Pearls]

While not the cosmic spiral on a pedestal as envisioned by Tom, this blister is provocative nonetheless ...

To say the least!

Even in these shots, the color is fabulous.

Was this found in a midden?

 

[Valeria101]

Uncle!

.................

 

[SteveM]

Even in these shots, the color is fabulous.

Was this found in a midden?

I would assume so, although others with hands-on experience (Dr. Ward!) could tell better how recently the mollusk may have been extracted. At the very least, this shell appears to be a far higher specimen grade than the dried-out shell that produced the attached pearl (referenced below).

?that pearl does not appear to be a blister to me. It may have ended up as something similar to a blister but most of the pearl growth occurred within the mantle of the nautilus. it was a loose pearl until it grew big enough to rupture the pearl sac.
It was good the pearl was growing at the 'bottom' of the shell cavity, otherwise it would have dropped out to the open sea, instead it attached to the shell. I guess this is probably the only region where something like this can happen in a nautilus. Since the mantle moves a bit in and out of the shell, a pearl growing at (or near) the border of the mantle (edge of the shell) cannot get attached too easily.
It's a great specimen. I wonder if nautilus pearls can cultured

Worth reviewing this hands-on expert?s contribution from earlier in the thread. Corroboration has just come through microradiography, as GIA's preliiminary finding is that the pearl in question was very superficially attached to the shell and therefore would not be defined as a blister, rather a button with a slight deformity at the attachment point.

 

[GemGeek]

I am completely speechless.