The dissolution of the delicate shells of sea butterflies, or pteropods, has epitomised discussions regarding ecosystem vulnerability to ocean acidification over the last decade. However, a recent demonstration that the organic coating of the shell, the periostracum, is effective in inhibiting dissolution suggests that pteropod shells may not be as susceptible to ocean acidification as previously thought. Here we use micro-CT technology to show how, despite losing the entire thickness of the original shell in localised areas, specimens of polar species Limacina helicina maintain shell integrity by thickening the inner shell wall. One specimen collected within Fram Strait with a history of mechanical and dissolution damage generated four times the thickness of the original shell in repair material. The ability of pteropods to repair and maintain their shells, despite progressive loss, demonstrates a further resilience of these organisms to ocean acidification but at a likely metabolic cost.

中文翻译：

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翼足类动物通过广泛的外壳修复来抵抗机械损伤和溶解。

过去十年间，海蝴蝶或翼足类动物的脆弱贝壳的消散成为有关生态系统对海洋酸化的脆弱性的讨论的缩影。但是，最近的一个论证表明，壳的有机涂层（骨膜）可以有效地抑制溶解，这表明翼足动物的壳可能不像以前认为的那样容易受到海洋酸化的影响。在这里，我们使用微CT技术来显示，尽管在局部区域失去了原始外壳的整个厚度，极性物种Limacina helicina的标本如何通过加厚内壳壁来保持外壳的完整性。在弗拉姆海峡内收集的一个具有机械和溶解破坏历史的标本产生的修复材料厚度是原始外壳厚度的四倍。