2. Molluscs Flashcards
What are the 7 classes of molluscs?
Aplacophora Polyplacophora Monoplacophora Scaphopoda Bivalvia Gastropoda Cephalopoda
Describe the early form of the molluscs shell.
Proteinaceous and chitinous cuticle
Describe how the mollusc shell evolved and what the modern shell is typically like.
Progressively got reinforced with calcium
Modern shell basically has crystals of calcite and aragonite deposited in a framework of layers of protein (conchiolin)
What is the shell secreted by in shelled molluscs?
The mantle
What are radula teeth made of?
Chitin
Describe Aplacophora.
No shell, calcareous spines Worm like, less than 300mm Headless No proper foot Live in marine sediments Most have radula No excretory organs Hermaphrodites
Describe Polyplacophora (chitons).
8 overlapping plates Girdle of spiny cuticle Can roll into a ball Less than 400mm Powerful foot Marine, especially at shores Head poorly defined Kidneys Radula, algal grazers 6-88 pairs of ctenidia (gills)
What is the girdle of the Polyplacophora?
Muscular girdle provides structural support for the plates, tough
Describe Monoplacophora.
Simple conical shell Less than 30 mm Weak foot Marine, deep trenches Head poorly defined, no eyes or tentacles Radula, detrital feeders Mantle cavity around foot 3-6 pairs of ctenidia (gills)
Describe Scaphopoda (tusk shells).
Cylindrical shells Less than 150 mm Separate sexes Burrowing foot Marine sediments Head has no eyes but has radula Mantle cavity through body No ctenidia (gills) Ciliated contractile tentacles
Describe bivalvia.
Pair of shells Less than 1 m Separate sexes Some use foot for burrowing Others cement to a substrate using byssus Head has no eyes, tentacles or radula May be tentacles and eyes around mantle Ctenidia highly modified
What are the three gill function types in bivalvia?
Protobranch (most primitive)
Lamellibranch (majority of species)
Septibranch
Describe the gill function type protobranch of bivalvia.
Most primitive
Ctenidia function conventionally, gaseous exchange
2 large ciliated palps, sometimes with tentacles
Move fine food particles to mouth
Describe the gill function type lamellibranch of bivalvia.
Used in majority of species
Enlarged, ciliated ctenidia act as filters to catch food, which is passed on by smaller ciliated palps to the mouth
Describe the gill function type septibranch of bivalvia.
Ctenidia reduced to muscular diaphragms which, in combinations with the inhalant siphon, suck in small animals which are captured by muscular palps
What type of mollusc is the oldest known animal?
Bivalvia
Quahog clam is 405-410 years old