Figure 3
From: The homology and function of the lung plates in extant and fossil coelacanths
Scanning electron microscopy of extant and fossil coelacanth lung plates. (a) SEM image revealing the presence of spherules of spheritic mineralisation in a lung plate of Latimeria chalumnae (adult specimen CCC 24). Boxed area indicates spherules. (b) SEM image of a Latimeria chalumnae lung plate (adult specimen CCC 79) showing collagen fibres (white arrows). (c) SEM image of mineralised portion of a lung plate of Latimeria chalumnae (adult specimen CCC 79); white arrow indicates cytoplasmic processes departing from potential osteocytes. (d) SEM image of an Axelrodichthys araripensis lung plate (‘Josa collection’); white arrows indicate spherules of spheritic mineralisation. (e) SEM image of a Swenzia latimerae lung plate (MNHN.F.JRE 47); white arrows indicate presence of spherules characterizing spheritic mineralisation. (f) SEM image of a Swenzia latimerae lung plate (MNHN.F.JRE 47); boxed area indicates spherules characterizing spheritic mineralisation; white arrows indicate collagen fibres. Col. f., collagen fibres; sph. min., spheritic mineralisation; osteoc., osteocytes. Scale bars, 100 µm (a,d) 20 µm (b) 50 µm (c,e,f).
