Phylogeographic studies contribute to addressing questions regarding the geographic patterns and evolutionary scenarios within and among species and also shed light on the taxonomic status of widely distributed species complexes. The pen shell Atrina

The pen shell, Atrina pectinata, is one of the commercial bivalves in East Asia and thought to be recently affected by anthropogenic pressure (habitat destruction and/or fishing pressure). Information on its population genetic structure is crucial for

The microstructures of Atrina pectinata and freshwater mussel shells are investigated by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties of these shells are characterized by nanoindentation and three-point bending tests.

The molluscan shell is a good model for understanding the mechanisms underlying biomineralization. It is composed of calcium carbonate crystals and many types of organic molecules, such as the matrix proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids. The pen shell