Give the main distinguishing features of phylum Mollusca.
Answer:
Followirlg are the main distinguishing features of phylum Mollusca:
- The animal shows bilateral symmetry.
- They have soft bodies, so they are also called soft bodied animals.
- Body is segmented and divided into head, foot and visceral mass.
- A glandular fold, the mantle, is present over the body.
- There is a calcareous shell around the body in some molluscs.
- They have open circulatory system.
- Kidney-like organs for excretion are present.
Examples: Pila, Sepia, octopus.