Re: seeking information about early Cambrian mollusk shells

[Peter Ward <argo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Paleonetters

Tom Daniel and I want to take another stab at finite element analysis on
mollusk shells, and want to explore the advantages (and disadvantages) of
shell coiling from a purely structural/mechanical viewpoint.  Our question
to the community is:  where can we find literature on the shell shapes
(and especially shell ultrastructure and shell wall thicknesses) of early
monoplacophorans?  Do such data exist?  We need these parameters to
reconstruct our virtual shells.  We also want to look at lineages that go
from straight to coiled shells in the early Cambrian.  Any thoughts?

Thanks, and pardon our ignorance.


Professor Peter D Ward
Dept of Geological Sciences
206-543-2962  ( Office )
206-543-1190  ( Dept Office )
206-543-3836  ( Shared Fax )