The Paleontology of North America

Molluscs from North America

> Bivalves | Gastropods | Cephalopods | Other Molluscs

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Inoceramus
Inoceramus
© 2004 UCMP

Ecphora quadricostata
Ecphora quadricostata
© 2000 Harley Means

Valvata
Valvata
© 2000 Karl Wilson

What are Molluscs? One of the largest and most diverse groups, the Mollusca includes the easily recognizable clams, slugs, snails, and squid, as well as less familiar animals such as chitons, tusk shells, and monoplacophorans. The extinct ammonites and belemnites are also molluscs. All molluscs possess a mantle, a sheath of tissue formed from the body wall. Most have a shell made of calcium carbonate that is secreted by the mantle. Molluscs can be found on land, as well as in freshwater and marine environments, from tide pools to the deep ocean trenches.

First known fossil occurrence: Cambrian.

Last known fossil occurrence: Quaternary. This group has living relatives.

Fossils through time:
Choose a time period to see what life was like:

Quaternary
Tertiary
Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Precambrian