Class Gastropoda [Mollusca]

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman | Last updated: February 3, 2024

Class Gastropoda:

Class Gastropoda have following characteristics:

Habitat:

Gastropods can inhabit a wide range of habitats such as marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments.

Torsion:

Gastropods body undergoes through a process called as torsion which results in the positioning of the shell, mantle cavity and gills towards the anterior side of the body.

Shell:

They possess a single coiled shell that is typically spiral in shape, with exception of slugs which have a reduced shell.

Radula:

Radula is a unique feeding organ possessed by gastropods which is a ribbon-like structure lined with tiny, sharp teeth. It is used to scrape and tear food particles.

Foot:

Gastropods have a muscular foot located ventrally that is used for locomotion.

Mantle:

The mantle is a specialized tissue that surrounds the visceral mass. The function of mantle cavity is to secrete shell.

Head and Sensory Organs:

Gastropods have a distinct head with a mouth, sensory tentacles and eyes.

Reproduction:

Most gastropods are dioecious. Some gastropods undergo internal fertilization, while others undergo external fertilization.

Ecological Roles:

Gastropods play important roles as

• Herbivores
• Detritivores
• Carnivores
• Filter feeders
• Parasites

Examples of class Gastropoda:

List of Mollusca classes with examples 

Phylum Mollusca is classified into seven major classes namely:

• Class Gastropoda
• Class Bivalvia
• Class Cephalopoda (intelligent marine animals)
• Class Polyplacophora (chitons)
• Class Scaphopoda (tusk shells)
• Class Monoplacophora
• Class Aplacophora (worm-like mollusks)