Eel scale. Polarised light micrograph of a scale from the skin of an eel (Anguilla anguilla). The scales are just under the skin and form a protective skeleton. Each scale plate consists of a lower fibrous plate and an upper clear plate of dentine. Dentine is added to the edge of the plate each year. In the summer the plate grows faster (thick ring) than in the winter (thin ring),so each year's growth is demarcated. On this scale,there are six concentric growth rings,which means the eel is approximately six years old. Magnification: x103 when printed at 10 centimetres across | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Wheeler, Dr. Keith |
Taille de l’image : | 6433 px × 3047 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |