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Home -> Kingdom Animalia -> Phylum Mollusca -> Class Gastropoda -> Subclass Pulmonata

Subclass Pulmonata



2009/11/08 04:53:34.494 US/Eastern

By Dr. John B. Burch, Ph.D. and Phil Myers

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Pulmonata
Members of this Subclass

Pulmonates are the land snails and slugs (a few species are marine). A coiled shell is usually present, but it is lost in some important groups. Some detorsion has occurred in many species. The Subclass derives its name from the fact that the mantle cavity forms lungs; these are filled with air as a result of contractions of the mantle floor. One or two pairs of tentacles are found on the head, depending on whether the snail or slug is terrestrial (two pairs) or aquatic (one). The nervous system is highly concentrated. Pulmonates are dioecious and hermaphroditic as are prosobranchs, but pulmonates develop directly (there is no larval form).

Source:

Hickman, C.P. and L. S. Roberts. 1994. Animal Diversity. Wm. C. Brown, Dubuque, IA.

Brusca, R. C., and G. J. Brusca. Invertebrates. 1990. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA.

Contributors

Dr. John B. Burch, Ph.D. external link (author), Mollusk Division, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan. Phil Myers (author), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan.

2009/11/08 04:53:34.606 US/Eastern

To cite this page: Burch, J. and P. Myers. 2001. "Pulmonata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed November 08, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pulmonata.html.

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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