> Mollusks <
Biclaves: These mollusks are laterally compressed, their bodies surrounded by two articulated valves (bilateral symmetry), held in place by adductor muscles; traces of these muscles are found in well-preserved fossils.
1. Cardium: Cerastoderma are generally rounded and domed in shape, composed of two symmetrical valves adorned with radial ribs. Their size varies from 2 to 5 centimeters depending on the species.
2. Glycymeris: Glycymeris are generally rounded and robust in shape, composed of two symmetrical valves with marked concentric striations. Their size varies from a few centimeters to over 10 centimeters depending on the species.
3. Mussel: Mytilus are generally elongated and asymmetrical in shape, composed of two narrow, smooth valves. Their size varies from a few centimeters to over 15 centimeters depending on the species.
4. Solen: Solen marginatus are elongated and thin, composed of two narrow, slightly curved symmetrical valves. Their size varies from a few centimeters to about 15 centimeters depending on the species.
5. Cerithidae: Cerithium are elongated and conical, with a spiral shell with well-defined whorls. Their size varies from a few millimeters to several centimeters depending on the species.
Gastropods: The characteristic of these mollusks is that their visceral mass twists 180°. Not easy to see in fossils! However, this is the only way to definitively characterize a gastropod. The shell is also a good method, but it has its limitations: consider the shell of a limpet (B and below), which does not coil, or nudibranchs (C) which have lost their shells.
6. Ammonites: Ammonites are generally spiral and compressed, with a shell with internal chambers. Their size varies from a few centimeters to over 2 meters depending on the species.
7. Nautilus: Nautilus are spiral-shaped with a robust, chambered shell, generally more globular than that of ammonites. Their size varies from 10 to 30 centimeters depending on the species.
8. Biclaves: Biclaves are generally elongated and symmetrical, composed of two articulated valves. Their size varies from a few millimeters to several tens of centimeters depending on the species.
9. Sea urchins: Sea urchins are generally discoid and flattened, with a rigid shell with radial patterns. Their size varies from a few centimeters to over 20 centimeters depending on the species.
10. Crinoids: Crinoids are echinoderms with a body composed of a calyx and articulated, feather-like arms. Their size varies from a few centimeters to over 50 centimeters depending on the species.
