Aplysia: Morphology, Classification, Habitat, and Neurobiological Importance of the Sea Hare Aplysia is a genus of large sea slugs commonly known as sea hares, belonging to the family Aplysiidae. These marine gastropod mollusks are notable for their soft, often leathery bodies and reduced internal shells. Sea hares have distinctive parapodia—wing-like…
Murex angulifer: Morphology, Classification, Habitat, and Ecological Role of the Spiny Rock Snail Murex angulifer is a species of predatory sea snail belonging to the family Muricidae, commonly known as rock snails or murex snails. Recognized for their robust, spiny shells and ornate appearance, Murex species have fascinated collectors and…
Pila globosa: Morphology, Classification, Habitat, and Ecological Role of the Apple Snail Pila globosa, commonly known as the apple snail, is a freshwater gastropod mollusk belonging to the family Ampullariidae. These snails are recognized for their large, globose shells resembling an apple, and their ecological adaptability to a variety of…
Cypraea: The Cowry Shells – Morphology, Classification, Habitat, and Ecological Importance Cypraea is a prominent genus within the family Cypraeidae, commonly known as cowries, characterized by their glossy, smooth, and often vibrantly patterned shells. Cowries have fascinated humans for centuries due to their unique aesthetics and cultural significance as currency,…
Haliotis: Morphology, Classification, Habitat, and Ecological Importance of Abalone Haliotis, commonly known as abalone, is a genus of marine gastropod mollusks in the family Haliotidae. These animals are renowned for their distinct, ear-shaped shells featuring a row of respiratory pores running along the shell margin. The genus is culturally and…
Fissurella: Morphology, Classification, Habitat, and Ecological Role of the Keyhole Limpets Fissurella is a genus of marine gastropod mollusks commonly known as keyhole limpets due to the distinctive hole or slit located at the apex of their conical shells. These limpets are part of the family Fissurellidae and are widely…
Patella: Morphology, Classification, Habitat, and Ecological Role of the True Limpet Patella is a genus of marine gastropod mollusks commonly known as true limpets. Belonging to the family Patellidae, these animals are characterized by their conical, uncoiled shells and strong adhesion to hard substrates such as rocks in intertidal and…
Dentalium: Morphology, Classification, Habitat, and Cultural Significance of the Tusk Shell Mollusc Dentalium, commonly known as tusk shells or tooth shells, is a genus of marine molluscs belonging to the class Scaphopoda. These animals are named for their distinctive slender, tubular, tusk-like shells open at both ends, which have fascinated…
Introduction Chitons are marine mollusks classified under the class Polyplacophora, sometimes called sea cradles or coat-of-mail shells due to their distinctive armored, segmented dorsal plates. They are notable for their flat, oval bodies covered with eight overlapping calcareous plates embedded in a girdle. They are found worldwide, predominantly in intertidal…
Chaetoderma: Morphology, Systematics, Habitat, Life Cycle, and Ecological Significance of the Primitive Aplacophoran Mollusc Introduction Chaetoderma is a distinctive genus of shell-less, worm-like mollusks grouped under the class Caudofoveata (also called Chaetodermomorpha), a basal lineage within the phylum Mollusca. Sometimes called "glistenworms" for their shiny cuticle covered with calcareous spicules,…
Introduction Phylum Mollusca is one of the largest and most diverse groups in the animal kingdom, comprising over 85,000 recognized species and potentially many more undiscovered ones. The term "Mollusca" comes from the Latin word mollis, meaning soft, referring to the soft-bodied nature of these animals. Members of this phylum…