Description

We have premium quality cuttlebone of the European common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis Linnaeus, with an intricate structure composed of a dorsal shield and ventrally placed chamber complex. It is composed of calcium carbonate in its aragonite polymorph mixed with a small amount *4.5% of organic matter, a complex of β-chitin and protein. In ventral plan view, the chamber complex consists of the posterior siphuncular zone, which is characterized by a series of striae corresponding each to the posterior end of one chamber and the septum of the last-formed chamber. In dorsoventral vertical section, each chamber is composed of a complex arrangement of horizontal septa and membranes and vertical pillars and membranes.