Author : Subhronil Shells which we frequently encounter at the near-coastal areas are mainly the external skeletons of the two very abundant organisms – clams and snails. They are dead individuals of many different species, just like Homo sapiens, our own species. Logically, our skeletons resemble these shells, the only difference is that we have internal skeletons [i.e., our hard skeletons are hidden inside our skin] and those organisms have external skeletons. A more scientific description would suggest that snails and clams are basically the member of two Classes [it’s a biological nomenclatural hierarchy where one class include many orders, families, genus, and species] – namely Gastropoda and Bivalvia; both of these Classes are included in a relatively higher nomenclatural hierarchy called Phylum Mollusca [one Phylum will have many Classes (and one Class has many Orders, and so on!) into it]. Detailed anatomy reveals that these organisms may have liver, lung, kidney, stomach, penis, vagina, eye, and even heart! So, your selfish view towards the world may consider them ‘inferior’ and you may have self-proclaimed ‘right to kill’ license, but in fact these organisms are scientifically comparable with us – no more no less [unless you are irrational or a ‘believer’]. More fascinating part is, they do have beautiful legs too! Just look at this picture, it’s a perfect soccer foot (left image) [I am sure you like football!], and they use their foot for kicking! [obviously not to score a goal, but to flee or to hide within sediment (right image; photo from Stanley and Waller, 1978)]. So, next time when you collect a dead shell, remember they also had a life and a soul! P.S. if you really care, please come back to see our next post on their detailed body parts, activities, feeding issues, etc. |
|