Caudofoveata

Caudofoveata
Chaetoderma nitidulum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Caudofoveata
Families and genera

See text.

Caudofoveata is a small class within the phylum Mollusca, also known as Chaetodermomorpha. The class is often combined with Solenogastres and termed Aplacophora, but some studies have cast doubt on the monophyly of this group.

Anatomy

The Caudofoveata are worm-like molluscs typically ranging 0.02–10 cm in size, but one species, Chaetoderma felderi, can reach 36.5 cm (14.4 in). The foot is completely absent, and instead of a shell their mantle is covered in calcareous spines called sclerites.

Ecology

Caudofoveates live by burrowing through soft sediment, and feed by lying vertically in the sediment with just the mouthparts 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.

Diet

Caudofoveates are deposit feeders, or more selective detritivores or predators of foraminifera.

Taxonomy

Caudofoveata comprises one order Chaetodermatida and three families, containing 14 genera:

References

  1. ↑ Giribet, G.; Okusu, A, A.; Lindgren, A.R., A. R.; Huff, S.W., S. W.; Schrödl, M, M.; Nishiguchi, M.K., M. K. (May 2006). "Evidence for a clade composed of molluscs with serially repeated structures: monoplacophorans are related to chitons". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 103 (20): 7723–7728. Bibcode:2006PNAS..103.7723G. doi:10.1073/pnas.0602578103. PMC 1472512. PMID 16675549.
  2. ↑ Guralnick, R.; Smith, K. (1999). "Historical and biomechanical analysis of integration and dissociation in molluscan feeding, with special emphasis on the true limpets (Patellogastropoda: Gastropoda)". Journal of Morphology. 241 (2): 175–195. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-4687(199908)241:2<175::AID-JMOR7>3.0.CO;2-0. PMID 10420163.
  3. ↑ Mikkelsen, Nina T.; Todt, Christiane; Kocot, Kevin M.; Halanych, Kenneth M.; Willassen, Endre (2019). "Molecular phylogeny of Caudofoveata (Mollusca) challenges traditional views". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 132: 138–150. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2018.10.037.
  4. ↑ "Caudofoveata". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 25 December 2025.