| The word
gastropod means "stomach foot"
and refers to the slimy muscular foot
that the creatures use to move themselves. They emerged from the
Cambrian as simple, uncoiled forms and
have grown to be a very successful group
of molluscs - some with coiled shells,
some with conical shells, and some
without shells at all. The group includes
the only molluscs to survive on land (slugs and snails),
and includes a great diversity of species. Gastropods are
common fossils and are often found complete or nearly
complete. Certain gastropods are found attached to
fossilised
crinoids, having adapted
to feed on their excrement.
A classic gastropod
available from the shelves of fossil
shops is Turritella. It is shown in the top
left and has a characteristic long, coiled spire, often
beautifully preserved. The best way of finding a live
gastropod is to lift up a slab in your garden - the
group includes slugs and snails.
See also:
bivalves
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