Molluscs part 1 - Bivalves Flashcards
What is the age extent of Phylum Mollusca?
Cambrian to recent
How many species are part of phylum Mollusca?
> 120,000 species
What environment are molluscs found in?
Typically marine (although some Bivalve and Gastropods freshwater/ terrestrial)
How many groups can phylum Mollusca be split into?
9
What are the 9 groups of mollusca?
Aplacophora
Polyplacophora
Monoplacophora
Helcionelloida
Gastropoda
Cephalopoda
Lamellibranchia/Pelycopoda/Bivalvia
Rostroconchia
Scaphopoda
What are some examples of how big Molluscs can get?
Architeuthis >10m in length
Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni >13m in length
What is the structure of molluscs like?
generally unsegmented
serial repetition of internal organs
often with external or secondary internal
skeleton of CaCO3 (Aragonite)
What is the Radula for molluscs?
Composed of chitin and is multiple teeth which act as a rasping feeding organ
What is the basis of the Archimollusc concept?
hypothetical ancestor for all molluscs
consider morphology of all other molluscs
and how they relate to ‘archimollusc’
What is the shell of the Archimollusc like?
cap-like secreted by the mantle
How are the anus and mouth positioned on the Archimollusc?
Mouth and anus at separate ends
The anus opens into the mantle cavity which acts as waste outlet
Where is the visceral mass of the Archimollusc located?
Above the mantle cavity
What does the diversification of molluscs from the Archimollusc link to?
Changes in mode of life and feeding
What does the Archimollusc share characteristics with most?
Tergomya (monoplacophorans) and Polyplacophorans (chitons)
What is the feeding and movement of gastropods, polyplacophorans and
tergomya?
Slowly move on a muscular foot
Radula in mouth (scavengers, herbivores and active predators)
What is the main type of feeding of bivalves?
predominately deposit feeders (rarely
suspension feeders)
What is not present in bivalves?
No head,
No jaws
limited capacity for locomotion
What type of feed gathering is done by cephalopods?
Predatory
How has the radula of cephalopods evolved to be predatory?
Ability to swallow and specialised jaws which can slice and chop
What does the head contain/ allow for in cephalopods?
sense organs and brain
buoyancy, locomotion, tentacules
What is the bivalve the only common mollusc to have?
2 valves shells