Lapus Lapus Island, an easy dive for beginners, has variegated soft corals, spiny lionfish and rainbow-coloured nudibranches (molluscs).

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Ammonites were free-swimming molluscs of the ancient oceans, living around the same time as dinosaurs.

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The species is one of the most critically endangered molluscs in the world.

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The team established that a virus called OsHV-1 (Oyster Herpesvirus type 1) was killing young oysters, helped by unfavourable weather conditions that weakened the molluscs.

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However, the unknown species are composed disproportionately of groups of macroinvertebrates, with tens of thousands of species of smaller crustaceans, molluscs (snails) worms and sponges awaiting discovery.

UNESCO: THEMES

These elegant micro-molluscs are a vital food for some fish.

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However, the wet weather has been good news for some insects, such as the crane fly, drone fly and mosquitoes as well as molluscs such as slugs and snails, which all thrive in the damp conditions.

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The molluscs are exported.

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