Observations on the Molecular Structure of Byssus Fibres

Abstract

Byssus fibres from Mytilus planulatus Lamk. and from Subitopinna madida Reeve were examined by X-ray diffraction and by electron microscopy. The birefringence of the threads was also measured. The results show that Mytilus threads consist of collagen but that the threads of Subitopinna are very poorly oriented and could not definitely be identified with collagen.