Sources
open directory project
Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web.
Submit a site - Become an editor
Wikipedia. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Are you an expert in this subject? Join the discussion and share your knowledge at Wikipedia.org.
Caudofoveata
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Chaetodermomorpha)
| Caudofoveata | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific classification | ||||||||
|
||||||||
| Families | ||||||||
|
See text. |
Caudofoveata is a small class of the phylum Mollusca, also known as Chaetodermomorpha. The class is often combined with Solenogastres and termed Aplacophora.
Caudofoveata are small (1-30 mm), mainly deep sea molluscs. They are worm-like, lacking shells or distinct muscular feet; they instead have scales and calcareous spines called sclerites, for movement. They live by burrowing through soft sediment, and feed by lying vertically in the sediment with just the mouth-parts exposed and taking in passing organic detritus. During sexual reproduction, the female produces eggs which are fertilized and brooded, and then the larvae swim freely.
There are about 15 genera, with about 100 known species.