Gastropoda
Gastropoda
Gastropoda (pronounced: gas-tro-po-da), from the ancient Greek γαστήρ (gastēr, "stomach") and πούς (pous, "foot"), is a large taxonomic class within the phylum Mollusca. The class includes snails and slugs of all kinds and all sizes from microscopic to large. There are many thousands of species of sea snails and sea slugs, as well as freshwater snails, freshwater limpets, land snails and land slugs.
Etymology
The word "gastropoda" comes from the ancient Greek words γαστήρ (gastēr, "stomach") and πούς (pous, "foot"), referring to the fact that the animal's foot is positioned below its stomach.
Anatomy
The anatomy of a typical gastropod is divided into three parts: head-foot, visceral mass, and mantle. The head-foot comprises the head and the locomotor organ, while the visceral mass contains the digestive, reproductive, circulatory, and respiratory systems. The mantle secretes the shell in those gastropods that have one.
Classification
Gastropods are classified into three subclasses: Prosobranchia, Opisthobranchia, and Pulmonata. Prosobranchia are mostly marine and include the largest gastropods, while Opisthobranchia are also mostly marine and include sea slugs and sea hares. Pulmonata are air-breathing gastropods and include most land snails and slugs.
Related Terms
- Mollusca: The phylum to which gastropods belong.
- Prosobranchia: A subclass of gastropods, mostly marine.
- Opisthobranchia: A subclass of gastropods, including sea slugs and sea hares.
- Pulmonata: A subclass of gastropods, including most land snails and slugs.
- Anatomy: The structure of the body and its parts.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gastropoda
- Wikipedia's article - Gastropoda
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