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.