Pleurocera acuta


    Classification

 

Kingdom-     Anamalia
Phylum-        MolluscaPleurocera acuta.
Class-           Gastropoda
Order-           Neotaenioglossa
Family-          Pleuroceridae
Genus-           Pleurocera
Species-        Pleurocera acuta

(Benson 2011)


Organisms in the Anamalia kingdom are classified by a multi-cellular, eukaryotic body type.  They are separated from plants because they do not posses a
cell wall or practice photosynthesis  (Hickman, 2009).                                                           
                                                                                                  
Mollusks are eucoelomates that are characterized by the  presence of a radula, which is a feeding organ used for scraping food and in some cases harpooning  prey (Strong, 2005).  They also posses a mantle, visceral mass, and muscular foot.  Mollusks have an open circulatory system that circulates hemolymph "blood" through various sinuses of the body (Hickman, 2009).

Gastropods are one of the most diverse classes known.  Some common characteristics are their well developed head, torsional body layout and presence of a shell (Hickman, 2009). They are also well known for having a muscular foot on their ventral side that is used for locomotion. In fact, Gastropod in Greek means "stomach- foot" (Woodland Park Zoo, 2011).  The shell of gastropod is characterized by torsion.  Torsion is the twisting of the internal body so that the anus is located anterior to the head (Hickman, 2009). This adaptive characteristic allows for the gastropods to increase protection by only having one opening in their shell.  Pleurocera acuta belongs to the subgroup of Gastropods known as Prosobranchia.  This group is characterized by the presence of gills and an operculum  (Hickman, 2009).

The Pleuroceridae family contains freshwater snails that are medium in size and contain a single, high spiraled shell and operculum (Dazo, 1965; Hickman, 2009).

Pleurocera is the genus name that contains Pleurocera acuta. Snails in this genus and species are characterized by being called horn snails due to the coiled whorl shape and strength of their shells  (Dazo, 1965).

Next Topic:   Body Structures

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