Fig. 17 in Three-dimensional micro- and nanostructural characteristics of the scleractinian coral skeleton: A biocalcification proxy

Fig. 17. Idealized and representing two extremes, three−dimensional models of septal microstructures in corals with fibrous skeletal tissue. First extreme model (A), shows perfect continuity between organo−mineral phases of dRAF and TD regions, whereas the second extreme model (B) shows consistent discontinuity of these phases in longitudinal, perpendicular to septal plane section. Real specimens (e.g., Figs. 3E–H, 5B) usually have some regions with dRAF and TD layers continuing, and some parts where these layers discontinue. Left to A, longitudinal section through RAF plane. Septal surfaces in the RAF zone may have "microcrystalline" texture (if a snapshot were taken during formation of the mineral phase); "microcrystals" represent exposed fiber tips (fasciculi of Wise 1972) of organic−depleted zones (circle on right of A).