CLASSIFICATION
In the realm of classification molluscs would be considered invertebrates. Under the grand scheme of things there is much diversity in the appearance, location, and characteristics of different molluscs. It is known as being one of the most diverse marine animals because of it's variation in size, shape, and other attributes. Depicted above in the header our the most commonly seen and researched form of molluscs.
Diversity
As seen above we can see that from the large Pacific Octopus to the smaller blue mussel we see molluscs. Many scientists have struggled in finding a way to narrow down or break up the different forms of marine mollusca. There are officially 8 different groups of molluscs known and classified today. Under these groupings there are one hundred thousands plus different species.
The Eight Groups of divison are:
1.) Caudofoveates: are the shellless oceanic molluscs that attach to other surfaces to survive.
2.) Solanogastres: resemble caudofoveates in their worm like state.
3.) Chitins: Resemble that of a snail and make rocky oceanic lands their home.
4.) Monoplacophorans: Endarged species of molluscs that look like the commonly known oyster.
5.) Tusk Shells: Take on the shape of a tusk and have cylindrical shaped bodies that come to a point at their anterior.
6.) Bivalves: A freshwater mollusca that are more commonly known as mussels, clams and scallops.
7.) Gastropods: This is the common land animals best known as snails and slugs. They take on the rare role of a mollusc who can both thrive in marine elements and land.
8.) Cephalopods: The cuttlefish, octopi, and squid are classified under this grouping.
Life History: The phylum Mollusca contains some of the most familiar invertebrates, including snails, slugs, clams, mussels, and octopuses. In contrast to these well-known molluscs, however, others are almost never seen, such as the aplacophorans and monoplacophorans, the latter of which which were only known from Paleozoic fossils until the first live specimen was discovered in the deep sea in 1952
Ecological Roles: Mollusks, which include land snails, freshwater snails, mussels, clams, and slugs, are vital to healthy ecosystems. Land snails, for example, not only provide food for a host of small mammals and birds, but they play vital roles in recycling forest nutrients. Freshwater snails also provide food for fish, including native trout and salmon, and are also important recyclers of plant and animal waste, essentially keeping water clean and healthy. Mollusks are also considered excellent ecological indicators, their status providing a window into the health of entire ecosystems.
Human Impacts: For millennia, molluscs have been a source of food for humans, as well as important luxury goods, notably pearls, mother of pearl, Tyrian purple dye, sea silk, and chemical compounds. Their shells have also been used as a form of currency in some preindustrial societies. A number of species of molluscs can bite or sting humans, and some have become agricultural pests.
In the realm of classification molluscs would be considered invertebrates. Under the grand scheme of things there is much diversity in the appearance, location, and characteristics of different molluscs. It is known as being one of the most diverse marine animals because of it's variation in size, shape, and other attributes. Depicted above in the header our the most commonly seen and researched form of molluscs.
Diversity
As seen above we can see that from the large Pacific Octopus to the smaller blue mussel we see molluscs. Many scientists have struggled in finding a way to narrow down or break up the different forms of marine mollusca. There are officially 8 different groups of molluscs known and classified today. Under these groupings there are one hundred thousands plus different species.
The Eight Groups of divison are:
1.) Caudofoveates: are the shellless oceanic molluscs that attach to other surfaces to survive.
2.) Solanogastres: resemble caudofoveates in their worm like state.
3.) Chitins: Resemble that of a snail and make rocky oceanic lands their home.
4.) Monoplacophorans: Endarged species of molluscs that look like the commonly known oyster.
5.) Tusk Shells: Take on the shape of a tusk and have cylindrical shaped bodies that come to a point at their anterior.
6.) Bivalves: A freshwater mollusca that are more commonly known as mussels, clams and scallops.
7.) Gastropods: This is the common land animals best known as snails and slugs. They take on the rare role of a mollusc who can both thrive in marine elements and land.
8.) Cephalopods: The cuttlefish, octopi, and squid are classified under this grouping.
Life History: The phylum Mollusca contains some of the most familiar invertebrates, including snails, slugs, clams, mussels, and octopuses. In contrast to these well-known molluscs, however, others are almost never seen, such as the aplacophorans and monoplacophorans, the latter of which which were only known from Paleozoic fossils until the first live specimen was discovered in the deep sea in 1952
Ecological Roles: Mollusks, which include land snails, freshwater snails, mussels, clams, and slugs, are vital to healthy ecosystems. Land snails, for example, not only provide food for a host of small mammals and birds, but they play vital roles in recycling forest nutrients. Freshwater snails also provide food for fish, including native trout and salmon, and are also important recyclers of plant and animal waste, essentially keeping water clean and healthy. Mollusks are also considered excellent ecological indicators, their status providing a window into the health of entire ecosystems.
Human Impacts: For millennia, molluscs have been a source of food for humans, as well as important luxury goods, notably pearls, mother of pearl, Tyrian purple dye, sea silk, and chemical compounds. Their shells have also been used as a form of currency in some preindustrial societies. A number of species of molluscs can bite or sting humans, and some have become agricultural pests.