Mesodon clausus
Classification
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Anamalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Species Order: Stylommatophora
Family: Polygyridae
Genus: Mesodon
Scientific Species Name: Mesodon clausus
Common Name: Yellow Globelet
About the Mesodon clausus Classifications
Each level of classification reveals further information on the specific terms of the Mesodon clausus snail. Most basically, we see that because the snail is a eukaryote, so it has a membrane-bound nucleus. And because they are in the animal kingdom, they are multicellular and heterotrophic.
By definition, because the Mesodon clausus is a part of the Phylum Molluscs and Class Gastropoda, they: have a single shell (i.e. univalve), undergo a developmental process called torsion, and possess a mantle and a muscular foot (used for locomotion). (See the Adaptations page for more information regarding these structures and functions)
Terrestrial snails are grouped along with terrestrial slugs into the Order Stylommatophora. Members of the Order Stylommatophora are characterized by having eyes on the top of tentacles. Further, the Mesodon clausus land snail is classified as a pulmonate, which is a subgroup within the Order Stylommatophora. Pulmonates are not officially a family, but the term "pulmonate" is used in reference to air-breathing land snails.
The Family Polygyridae is distinguished from other gastropod families because of the presence or absence of a few anatomical features. They have no dart apparatus (used in the reproduction process of some terrestrial snails), the muscles that allow the snail's eyes and pharynx to be retracted are part of a single band, and their jaws are ribbed.