Nautilus

Nautilus is a genus of marine mollusks in the family Nautilidae, class Cephalopoda. They are the sole living family of the superfamily Nautilaceae and of its smaller but near equal suborder, Nautilina.

Anatomy

Nautiluses are among the less-evolved cephalopods, a group that includes the most complex and intelligent of the mollusks. The nautilus is the only cephalopod that has a fully developed shell for protection. The animal can withdraw completely into its shell and close the opening with a leathery hood formed from two specially folded tentacles.

Habitat

Nautiluses usually inhabit the deep slopes of coral reefs. They inhabit different depths of water, with the adults found at greater depths than the young. Nautiluses are found in only the Indo-Pacific, from 30° N to 30° S latitude and 90° E to 175° E longitude.

Reproduction

Nautiluses reproduce by laying eggs. The female nautilus produces a large number of eggs, up to 12 per clutch, which are laid on the sea floor and attached to rocks or coral.

Conservation

The nautilus is a protected species in many countries due to its slow growth and breeding rates. Overfishing has caused a decline in nautilus populations in some areas.

See also

• Cephalopoda
• Mollusca
• Marine biology

References

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External links

• National Geographic - Nautilus

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