Mollusk
Mollusk (/'mɒləsk/)
Mollusk, also spelled as mollusc, is a term used to describe a diverse group of invertebrate animals, primarily marine, that make up the phylum Mollusca.
Etymology
The word "mollusk" originates from the French word "mollusque," which was coined by the French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802. It is derived from the Latin word "molluscus," meaning soft or tender.
Definition
A mollusk is a soft-bodied invertebrate of the phylum Mollusca, typically enclosed in a calcium carbonate shell secreted by a soft mantle covering the body. Along with the insects and vertebrates, they are one of the most diverse groups in the animal kingdom, with nearly 100,000 (possibly as many as 150,000) described species.
Classification
Mollusks are classified into several classes, including Gastropoda (snails and slugs), Bivalvia (clams, oysters, and other bivalves), and Cephalopoda (squid, octopuses, and cuttlefish).
Anatomy
The body of a mollusk is generally divided into three parts: a head, with eyes or tentacles; a muscular foot, used for locomotion; and a visceral mass, containing most of the internal organs.
Related Terms
- Gastropoda: The largest class of mollusks, including snails and slugs.
- Bivalvia: A class of mollusks that includes clams, oysters, and other bivalves.
- Cephalopoda: A class of mollusks that includes squid, octopuses, and cuttlefish.
- Mantle (mollusk): The dorsal body wall which covers the visceral mass and usually protrudes in the form of flaps well beyond the visceral mass itself.
- Radula: A unique anatomical feature found in mollusks, used for feeding.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mollusk
- Wikipedia's article - Mollusk
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