Caudofoveata
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Caudofoveata is a small class of the phylum mollusca, also known as Chaetodermomorpha. The class is often combined with Solenogastres and termed Aplacophora.
Caudofoveata are small (1-30 mm), mainly deep sea molluscs. They are worm-like, lacking shells or distinct muscular feet; they instead have scales and calcareous spines called sclerites, for movement. They live by burrowing through soft sediment, and feed by lying vertically in the sediment with just the mouth-parts exposed and taking in passing organic detritus. During sexual reproduction, the female produces eggs which are fertilized and brooded, and then the larvae swim freely.
The class has six families: Chaetodermatidae, Falcidentidae, Limifossoridae, Scutopidae, Metachaetodermatidae and Prochaetodermatidae divided into 15 genera. There are about 100 known species.de:Wurmmollusken es:Caudofoveata fr:Caudofoveata nl:schildvoetigen pl:Tarczkonogi
