Conchology in Light of Scutus unguis (Linnaeus)

Soft slimy bodies of Molluscans are protected, supported and sheltered under their hard calcareous shell. This abode which is available for retreat in case of threats is of a peculiar shape in each of the genera and species of molluscans. Scutus (= Parmaphorus) unguis (Linnaeus) was selected for the morphological and analytical studies as this valuable information would contribute to Taxonomy and Mineralogy. Mineralogy of the fossil, recent and for that matter a primitive shell may be useful in Palaeoecological, Palaeoenvironmental, Palaeogeological, Petroleum geological, Phylogeny, Pollution and taxonomical studies. Comparison of the composition of fossil and recent molluscan shells can be used to study the differences in their composition and the attribute to the effects of weathering and diagenesis. Shell of Scutus unguis has been studied using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and EDX analysis. Shell surface architecture reveals that the protoconch of Scutus unguis is paucispiral and trochispiral type. The umbilicus is imperforate and the protoconch is retained at the apex. The surface is found to be uniformly lamellated and is correlated to the very sluggish slow moving behavior of the animal. Interlamellar regions are characterized by the presence of the very fine denticles. Lead and Zinc have been detected in the shell of Scutus unguis which was collected from the polluted rocky shores of Girgaum Chowpatty, Mumbai, India.