• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Molluscs (Phylum Mollusca)

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Mollusks are characterized by a soft, unsegmented body typically consisting of a muscular foot for movement, a visceral mass containing the internal organs, and a mantle that often secretes a protective calcium carbonate shell. Although many species possess external shells, others, such as octopuses and slugs, have reduced or completely lost them. The phylum includes an extraordinary variety of animals, including snails and slugs (Gastropoda), clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops (Bivalvia), octopuses, squids, cuttlefishes, and nautiluses (Cephalopoda), as well as chitons and tusk shells.