What is unique about Mollusca?
Two unique features of mollusks are the mantle and radula (see Figure above). The mantle is a layer of tissue that lies between the shell and the body. Herbivorous mollusks use the radula to scrape food such as algae off rocks. Predatory mollusks use the radula to drill holes in the shells of their prey.
What are three characteristics of molluscs?
The three most universal features defining modern molluscs are a mantle with a significant cavity used for breathing and excretion, the presence of a radula (except for bivalves), and the structure of the nervous system.
Can we use mollusk as painkillers?
That organism is a cone snail, a mollusk known to beachcombers and marine biologists alike for its toxic venom, which was recently developed into a clinically used painkiller. The cone snail is just one example of the opportunities the world’s biodiversity offers the pharmaceutical industry.
Which type of mollusk is most intelligent?
squid
Intelligence of squid and octopuses. The cephalopod class of mollusks are considered the most intelligent invertebrates and an important example of advanced cognitive evolution amongst animals in general.
Which class of mollusk is the largest?
Gastropods are by far the largest class of molluscs, comprising over 80% of all molluscs.
What are the main features of Mollusca?
Characteristic Features of Phylum Mollusca
- They are bilaterally symmetrical.
- They are triploblastic, which three layers.
- They show organ system grade of organisation.
- The body is soft and unsegmented.
- Body is divisible into three regions – head, a visceral mass, and ventral foot.
- Body is covered by a mantle and shell.
What does a mollusk eat?
algae
Many mollusks eat mostly algae. They use the radula to scrape algae off rocks. But larger mollusks have a greater appetite. Snails and slugs eat plants and fruit.
Do mollusks eat meat?
The question here is, what do mollusks eat? Well, depending upon the species and taking their habitat into consideration, they can be plant-eaters, meat-eaters, and even omnivorous. This AnimalSake post elaborates more on the mollusks species and their diet.