Finally got myself registered here (Thanks Tony) I've Been meaning to post for ages on the Spirula as I'm doing my geology masters thesis titled "the Isotopic variation in Spirula spirula: a key to understanding the ecology of fossil cephalopods"
I've basically undertaken carbon and oxygen isotopes from throughout the shell, SEM of the shell (specimens from Perth, Oz) and I also have several complete specimens kindly donated by the Natural History Museum that I aim to dissect and if possible, hopefully to x-ray one or two.

Cheers,
Chris

Well, Welcome to Tonmo !

Welcome!

Where are you doing your masters'?

:welcome: Chris, looking forward to hearing about your research.

Definitely glad to have you aboard! :cuttlehi:

:welcome: to TONMO! I've been trying to drum up discussion about the taxonomically wacky critters like spirula lately, so I'm glad to hear there's another person on board who's an expert!

Thanks for all the hellos.
I'm studying Mgeol at the Universtiy of Plymouth, UK. Things are pretty hectic right now, but as soon as I get a chance I'll try to post a summary on some of the available literature, but that will most probably be early April (fieldtrips etc).
I've pretty much got all papers written on Spirula, so if there's anything anyone needs to know, you're more than welcome to give me a shout and I'll see what I can do. Most unfortunately are paper copies, but some are pdf's which I'm more than willing to share (if allowed on this board).

Well back to work, hope I can contribute more soon.

Cheers

:welcome: Chris. A most interesting subject you have chosen! A friend here did a micro-CT of an entire Spirula .... just for something to do (he's arather interesting chap). It's pretty impressive. PM me if you'd like to be put in touch with him; I'm sure he'd forward the images and interpretation to you.

I have one question to begin with.

Is there a vacuum in that shell or not? Someone told me it was vacuum, but I always thought it was pressurised (and would think a vacuum would lead to implosion).