Chitons |
Scaphapods |
Gastropods |
Chitons have a shell composed of eight separate shell plates. These plates slightly overlap at the edges of the animal, and work well with one another. The shell provides protection and allows the chiton to flex as it needs.
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These small creatures have shells that range from about 0.5 to 15cm in length. The shells are usually glassy-smooth in addition to being quite narrow. With there shells and anatomy they are able to move surprisingly fast through the ocean floor.
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There are about 62,000 species and compose 80% of mollusks. They are the only group on land and are extremely diverse.
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Bivalves |
Cephalopods |
These mollusks have laterally compressed bodies enclosed by a shell consisting of two hinged parts. They have no head, and also lack a radula. Bivalves include clams, mussels, oysters, cockels, scallops and many other freshwater and sea water families.
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These animals have a prominent head, and a set of arms or tentacles modified from the primitive molluscan foot. Fishermen sometimes call them inkfish, referring to their common ability to squirt ink. The squid and octopus are the most common in this class.
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