MONUMENTAL MOLLUSCS
Professor Mike Bruton, informal science educator, museum and science centre development consultant
Wednesday 21 January 1.00 pm COURSE FEES R115; Staff and students R58
Surprisingly, molluscs are the largest marine phylum, comprising about 23% of all the named marine animals. They are also highly diverse in size and structure, as well as in behaviour, habitat and lifestyle, in the oceans as well as on land and in freshwaters. What are the key factors that have made them so successful? Is it because they have a remarkable range of body forms, ranging from snails, nudibranchs, mussels and oysters to squids and octopi? Or is it because they have highly specialised feeding, breathing and circulation systems, or a sophisticated genetic toolkit that allows them to adapt rapidly to changing environments? There is now increasing evidence that octopi are intelligent and can feel pain, and questions are being asked about whether it is ethical to farm them for food or use them in research. What do you think? Should molluscs enjoy special rights?
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