Phylum Mollusca

Warm up 4/8

1. What structure do corals and anemone share?

2. What are the symbiotic algae called that live with coral? What kind of example is this called?

3. What does the algae provide to the coral? What does the coral provide to the algae?

4. What is the skeleton that corals make made out of?

Phylum Mollusca

EQ

Describe the characteristics of Mollusca that make them unique.

Classes of mollusca

There are seven main classes of Mollusca (we’ll learn 3 main ones):

Bivalvia

Gastropoda

Cephalopoda

Defining characteristics

Every mollusk has a head, a foot and a visceral mass, usually covered by the mantle

Bivalvia

Bivalvia is a group that has a two-halved shell. Examples: clams, oysters, scallops

Habitats: Marine, estuarine, freshwater

Shapes: mostly two-shelled, some worm like

Feeding type: mostly suspension feeders, some detritovores

Clam digging

Scallops swimming

Gastropoda

Gastropoda are the only mollusks to have gone onto land, most diverse w/body and shell morphology. Ex: Snails, opihi, slugs, sea hares, cone snail

Habitats: Saltwater, freshwater, estuaries, land

Shapes: Many have one shell which the animal can withdraw

Feeding types: Herbivores, carnivores. Most feed using a radula.

Radula

Cephalopoda

Cephalopoda are the most intelligent and mobile of all mollusks. Have 3 hearts. Ex: Squid, octopuses, cuttlefish, nautiluses.

Habitats: Marine

Shapes: two eyes, mantle, a siphon and eight tentacles. Have beak for feeding. Suction cups on tentacles.

Feeding types: Carnivorous

Cephalopod behavior

Extremely intelligent, can be trained to perform specific behaviors

Change color using chromatophores, pigment filled cells on the body

Some have bioluminescence, creation of light through photophores

Have an ink sac in which to escape predators with

Giant squid

Blue ringed octopus