Gastropods, also known as gastropoda, are a diverse class of mollusks that belong to the phylum Mollusca. They are characterized by a unique shell, which is usually coiled and spiral-shaped, although some species lack a shell. Gastropods are found in a wide range of habitats, including marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments, making them one of the most adaptable groups of animals.
The name "gastropod" is derived from the Greek words "gaster" meaning stomach and "podos" meaning foot, referring to the characteristic foot-like muscular organ that is used for locomotion. This structure is located underneath the animal's body and allows them to crawl, glide, or swim.
Gastropods display a broad variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, with some species growing only a few millimeters long while others can reach several meters in length. Their diet also varies, as some gastropods are herbivores, feeding on algae and plants, while others are carnivorous, preying on small invertebrates like worms or crustaceans.
One distinctive feature of gastropods is their ability to undergo torsion during development, where their body undergoes a 180-degree twisting process. This characteristic results in the repositioning of the animal's mantle cavity, gills, and anus above its head. Torsion is believed to have evolved as a response to the gastropods' changing habitat needs and can provide advantages in terms of feeding, respiration, and protection.
Gastropods are a significant group within the animal kingdom, comprising over 60,000 known species. They have a pivotal role in various ecosystems as both predators and prey and have adapted to a wide array of environmental conditions,
