<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><mads xmlns="http://www.loc.gov/mads/" xmlns:mods="http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.loc.gov/mads/
mads.xsd"><authority><topic authority="http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en">opercula</topic></authority><related type="other"><topic>shell</topic></related><related type="broader"><topic>animal components</topic></related><variant type="other"><topic>operculum</topic></variant><variant type="other"><topic>operculums</topic></variant> <note xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ The calcareous, horny, or shelly plates secreted by some gastropod mollusks, which serve to close the shell when the animal is retracted. These are found in many marine and some terrestrial and freshwater species. Opercula are used in jewelry or as decoration on art and ceremonial objects. ]]></note></mads>