Mollusca

Mollusca

Phylum:   Mollusca

  • Second largest phylum
  • Approximately 85,000 species
  • Comprises about 23% of all the named marine organisms
  • The phylum is typically divided into 7 or 8 taxonomic class, two are entirely extinct.
  • Cephalopod molluscs, such as squid, cuttlefish and octopuses are amongst the most neurologically advanced of all invertebrates
  • Either the giant squid or colossial squid is the largest known invertebrate species.
  • Gastropods (snails and slugs)  are the most numerous molluscs and account for 80% of the total classified species.