Class Scaphopoda Mollusca]

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

Class Scaphopoda:

Class Scaphopoda have following unique characteristics:

Filter Feeders:

Scaphopods are primarily filter feeders. They collect microscopic organisms, such as small plankton and detritus, for feeding.

Burrowing Lifestyle:

These organisms are primarily benthic and inhabit marine environments, ranging from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea.

Limited Mobility:

Due to their burrowing lifestyle, Scaphopods exhibit limited mobility.

Shell Shape:

Scaphopods have a tubular or tusk-like shell that is open at both ends. The shell is typically elongated and conical in shape, resembling an elephant’s tusk or a miniature elephant tusk. The shell is composed of calcium carbonate.

Foot:

They possess a muscular foot, which is used for burrowing into sediments. The foot is often elongated and adapted for anchoring within the substrate.

Absence of Radula:

Scaphopods lack a radula; instead they have a specialized tentacle-like structure called a captacula, which is used for capturing and manipulating food particles.

Reproduction:

Scaphopods are mostly dioecious and fertilization occurs externally in the water column.

Examples of class Scaphopoda :

Scientific NameCommon Name(s)
Dentalium spp.Tusk Shells
Gadila fuscaStout Tusk Shell
Dentalium entalisElephant Tusk Shell
Dentalium octangulatumEight-ribbed Tusk Shell
Cadulus tolmieiTolmie’s Tusk Shell
Antalis entalisMediterranean Tusk Shell
Dentalium vulgareCommon Tusk Shell
Rhabdus rectiusStraight Tusk Shell
Fustiaria rubescensRed Tusk Shell

List of Mollusca classes with examples 

Phylum Mollusca is classified into seven major classes namely: