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Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals, after Arthropoda; members are known as molluscs or mollusks . Around 76,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is estimated between 60,000 and 100,000 additional species. The proportion of undescribed … See more
Because of the great range of anatomical diversity among molluscs, many textbooks start the subject of molluscan anatomy by describing what is called an archi-mollusc, hypothetical generalized mollusc, or hypothetical ancestral mollusc (HAM) to illustrate the most … See more
Estimates of accepted described living species of molluscs vary from 50,000 to a maximum of 120,000 species. The total number of described species is difficult to estimate because … See more
Feeding
Most molluscs are herbivorous, grazing on algae or filter feeders. For those grazing, two feeding strategies are predominant. Some feed on … See moreFossil record
Good evidence exists for the appearance of gastropods (e.g., Aldanella), cephalopods (e.g., See moreWikipedia text under CC-BY-SA license WebMollusk, any soft-bodied invertebrate of the phylum Mollusca, usually wholly or partly enclosed in a calcium carbonate shell secreted by a soft mantle covering the body. Along with the insects and vertebrates, it is one of the …
14.4: Phylum Mollusca - Biology LibreTexts
WebPhylum Mollusca is a very diverse (85,000 species) group of mostly marine species. Mollusks have a dramatic variety of form, ranging from large predatory squids and octopus, some of which show a high degree of …
Classification and economic importance of mollusks
Webmollusk, or mollusc, Any of some 75,000 species of soft-bodied invertebrate animals (phylum Mollusca), many of which are wholly or partly enclosed in a calcium carbonate shell secreted by the mantle, a soft covering formed …
WebPhylum Mollusca is a very diverse (85,000 species) group of mostly marine species. Mollusks have a dramatic variety of form, ranging from large predatory squids and octopus, some of which show a high degree of …
5.5: Phylum Mollusca - Biology LibreTexts
WebThe phylum Mollusca is defined by several special characteristics. These defining characteristics include a mantle with a mantle cavity, a shell (except where lost), visceral mass, foot, and radula. The odontophore is in the …
Molluscs | Oxford University Museum of Natural History
WebDec 13, 2019 · Scientific Name: Mollusca (Caudofoveates, Solanogastres, Chitons, Monoplacophorans, Scaphopods, Bivalves, Gastropods, Cephalopods) Common Name: Mollusks or molluscs; Basic Animal …