Pronunciation: [mˈɒlʌsks] (IPA) 
The word "mollusks" is commonly misspelled as "molluscs". However, the correct spelling is "mollusks" with a "ks" at the end. This is because the word originates from Greek, where the spelling is "mollusks". In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /ˈmɒləsks/. The "k" sound at the end of the word is represented by the phonetic symbol /ks/, indicating a combination of the "k" and "s" sounds.
Mollusks are a diverse group of invertebrate animals belonging to the phylum Mollusca. They are characterized by a soft body that is typically covered by a protective structure or shell. This group includes a wide array of organisms such as clams, snails, squids, and octopuses.
The soft bodies of mollusks are composed mainly of muscular tissue and are typically divided into three main parts: the head, the foot, and the visceral mass. The head usually houses the sensory organs and feeding apparatus, including mouthparts and tentacles. The foot is the muscular locomotion organ used for movement, and the visceral mass contains the internal organs.
One of the key features of mollusks is their shells, which can vary in size and shape depending on the species. The shell provides protection for the soft body and can be made of calcium carbonate or a combination of other materials. While many mollusks have shells, some have reduced or internal shells, and others, such as squids and octopuses, lack shells altogether.
Mollusks inhabit a wide range of habitats, including freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments. They play important ecological roles as filter feeders, grazers, predators, and scavengers. Mollusks are also a valuable food source for humans and are commercially harvested for consumption.
Overall, mollusks are a diverse and fascinating group of animals that exhibit a wide range of adaptations and lifestyles, making them one of the most successful phyla on Earth.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "mollusk" originates from the Latin term "molluscus", which is derived from the Ancient Greek word "molluskos". This Greek word referred to a soft-bodied creature or a soft-shelled animal. The term "molluskos" itself derives from the Greek word "mollis", meaning soft. The term was used to describe the soft bodies of these creatures, as opposed to those with a hard exoskeleton or shell. Eventually, the Latin "molluscus" made its way into English, and the spelling was anglicized to "mollusk", which is commonly used today.
