Home | About MESA | Contact MESA | Seaweek | Site Resources | Marine Links | International News | MESA History
  Molluscs of Australia    

Molluscs of Australia

The Aplacophora  

Aplacophora (the name means “without plates”) is a small group of marine molluscs with only about 320 species. They are found burrowing at the bottom of all the world’s oceans. They are small (most less than 5 cm long), cylindrical and worm-like and do not have a shell.

Instead of a shell, their skin contains tiny spikes (spicules) made from calcium carbonate which is secreted by the mantle, this gives them a beautiful shine. Most of the Aplacophora do not have a foot and the head has no eyes or tentacles although they do have a simple radula. They are either carnivores (mostly eating Coelenterates) or eat detritus.


Aplacophora Image: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

Next: Bivalves ...  

 

Introduction
Anatomy of Molluscs
The Aplacophora
Bivalves
Cephalopods
    
Introduction
    Cuttlefish
    Nautilus
    Octopus
     Squid
Chitons
Gastropods
Tusk Shells
Mollusc Gallery

 

Search site


 

 
 
   Contact Web Manager © MESA 1999 - 2015
0.00391 secs   
     SpiderByte Web Design Top