300133 VO Mollusca (2016W)

The Mollusca are most diverse in terms of morphology and ecology and second in species-richness only to arthropods. The combined lecture and practical, probably unique in its depth, gives a comprehensive introduction to this phylum. The lecture deals with the general characteristics of all eight major molluscan groups, from the archaic "worm-molluscs" to the sophisticated cephalopods. It also provides a phylogenetic and evolutionary framework for the Mollusca and incorporates front-line results of all relevant fields, i.e. developmental biology, ultrastructure research, palaeontology, and molecular phylogeny.