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Gastropod Main 
Glossary
References
Links
Hooper Main |
Ecology
Gastropods occupy a wide range of ecological niches; they are one of the few animal groups to inhabit not only the marine but terrestrial and freshwater habitats as well. Species have been found to live for over 4 years without water in Egyptian and Mexican deserts, and some alpine species can live on snow (likeVitrina ) for periods. In all probablility, the same wide range of paleoecological niches have been filled by gastropods in the past.
Fig 20. This Conus parius is a specialized gastropod. The Conus family are predators, and some are deadly to humans. They attack their prey with by shooting a poisonous harpoon-like barb.
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