bløddyr

Bløddyr, scientifically known as Mollusca, represent a large phylum of invertebrate animals. This diverse group includes well-known creatures such as snails, slugs, clams, oysters, mussels, squids, and octopuses. The defining characteristic of most mollusks is a soft body, often protected by a shell secreted by a specialized organ called the mantle. However, some mollusks, like slugs and squids, have reduced or absent shells.

Mollusks inhabit a wide range of environments, from the deepest oceans to freshwater habitats and terrestrial ecosystems. Their bodies are typically characterized by three main parts: a muscular foot used for locomotion, a visceral mass containing the internal organs, and a mantle. Many mollusks also possess a radula, a ribbon-like structure covered in tiny teeth, used for scraping food.

Reproduction in mollusks varies significantly. Some species reproduce sexually, while others are hermaphroditic. Their feeding strategies are equally diverse, ranging from filter feeders and grazers to active predators. The phylum Mollusca is divided into several major classes, including Gastropoda (snails and slugs), Bivalvia (clams and oysters), and Cephalopoda (squids and octopuses), each exhibiting unique adaptations and life cycles.