MOLLUSCA Block 3 Jan. 13, 2015 The Glaucus Atlanticus is a mollusk that camouflages itself to trick its prey into thinking is not there. It then digests.

MOLLUSCABlock 3Jan. 13, 2015

The Glaucus Atlanticus is a mollusk that camouflages itself to trick its prey into thinking is not there. It then digests its preys poison cells and uses it for its own use.

AN INTRODUCTION:

Many people know of snails, clams and even octopuses, but don’t realize that they are mollusks, not even considering the small ones that are never seen. Mollusks, Members of the phylum Mollusca, have a wide range of organs and like in most environments. Some Mollusks are even parasitic. They vary in size, shape and weight. Some Mollusks have those shells that we love to collect on beaches. In short, Mollusks are way more diverse than that snail in your backyard.

EXAMPLES OF MOLLUSKS

There are over 50,000 species of mollusks.

Some examples;

-Scallops

-squids

-octopuses

-snails

-clams

-Mussels

The points on this mollusks shell allow it from being harmed by predators

This mollusks colour warns predators to stay away The Caribbean Octopus

STRUCTURES

All mollusks have:

1) symmetrical bodies

2) a nervous system, open circulatory system, and kidneys

3)a head and a foot

4) “Has more than one layer of cells, tissues and organs”(The Pylum Mollusca, Source 2)

http://facultyweb.wcjc.edu/users/dannyg/images/bilateralbrachiopod.jpg

ENVIRONMENTS Mollusks live in most

environments,

but mostly in marine

areas,

freshwater,

or just sediment.

The yellow areas are places were many mollusks are

FOOD

Mollusks eat a variety of things including worms, detritus, and phytoplankton. But the food it eats varies on the mollusk. Mollusks compete with a variety of tube worms for resources.

Mollusks are preyed on by over 222 other organisms.

http://www.shellmuseum.org/userfiles/image/Third2010.JPG

DIVERSITY

Mollusks are very diverse. They eat many different things. They can be herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and even detrivores. They live in many different areas from freshwater, to salt water, and even to the tops of mountains

REPRODUCTION

Some mollusks reproduce sexually and have offspring live. Others lay eggs to hatch to become like their parents. The majority of freshwater and terrestrial mollusks lay eggs.

http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/baby-octopus.jpg

HUMAN USAGE

Humans have used mollusks and their shells for a variety of things. Some islands use mollusk shells as money. In the past people used their shells for buttons, art and jewelry. Even today mollusks are used as jewelry from sea shells to pearls.

And let’s not forget food. Humans cook all kinds of mollusks from clams, to mussels, to scallops and even snails in France.

http://www.pearlsinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/50001905.jpg

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PHYLUM Mollusks were some of the first inhabitants of earth, therefore making them one of the phyla that other phylum have branched off from.

They are also very easily preserved because of their hard shell.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qye4RXWVOQs/TpHxN-aAzdI/AAAAAAAAFTc/BFQ17VuOEYg/s1600/nature10382-f4.2.jpg

FOSSIL RECORD

Mollusks are some of the oldest creatures on Earth. Precambrian fossils of early mollusks were found in Southern Australia and Northern Russia. Other mollusks were found in the pre-Cambrian age.

http://www.kidtastic.com/city/museum/prehistoric/dinosaurs/timeline/pics/timeline.jpg

HOW ARE THEY ALL RELATED?

Some people(like myself) wonder how squids or octopuses could be related to clams or snails. Mollusks are defined to move by a foot, or swim by jet propulsion. Octopuses move by jet propulsion as do scallops. This is how Mollusca is a large phyla.

https://41.media.tumblr.com/2ac3283e7f6c5306be7b9c49f64b25ed/tumblr_n3rul6trgL1skehi4o1_500.jpg

DISEASES

1) Byne’s disease is a disorder affecting the shells of sea dwelling mollusks. The shell comes in contact with acidic vapors in the sea water causing a white powdery residue to form. Acidic vapors come from materials such as Oak wood in the water.

2) Marteiliosis is a disease of oysters and shellfish caused by parasites. Affected oysters loose their usual colour and turn yellow. Shellfish become shrunken and feel slimy when touched. The disease ultimately breaks down the digestive system.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Bynesian_Decay_001.JPG/220px-Bynesian_Decay_001.JPG

Affected shells with Byne’s Disease

http://library.enaca.org/Health/FieldGuide/images/imr2.jpg

Oyster with Marteiliosis

CONCLUSION: WHAT I LEARNED. I learned a lot by doing this research. I think as humans we overlook mollusks and other phylum that are actually important to our survival. Mollusks are important to South Carolinians considering the fact that we get a lot of money from our fishing areas in places like Charleston or Myrtle Beach. They are needed by humans for food and other organisms that feed off them as well. I learned that mollusks were some of the most earliest phylum on earth and that they are very diverse. This research benefits me by knowing about mollusks and how they function and live. Mollusks are important just like many other organisms are, and a world without mollusks or other sea creatures would impact the world greatly. This project has helped me realize that mollusks have a lot more to them than that funny carton character called a mollusk.

http://cdni.wired.co.uk/620x413/s_v/squidlet.jpg

CITATIONS: 1) "Blue Glaucus (Glaucus Atlanticus) - Information on Blue Glaucus - Encyclopedia of Life.“ Encyclopedia of Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.

2) “The Phylum Mollusca." The Molluscs (Phylum Mollusca). N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.

3) "Molluscs (mollusca)." Encyclopedia of LIfe. Encyclopedia of Life, n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2015.

4) "Byne's Disease." Byne's Disease. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2015.

5) "Scottish Government." Marteiliosis. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2015.

6) "The Wonders of the Seas: Mollusks." The Wonders of the Seas: Mollusks. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2015.

7) "Mollusks." For More Information : Carnegie Museum of Natural History. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2015.

8) "Mollusk." :: Reproduction --  Kids Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2015.

9) "The Mollusca." The Mollusca. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2015.

10) "Mollusks." : Clams, Snails, Octopus, Squid and Family. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2015