gastropod

[GAS-truh-pod] Often referred to as a univalve, a gastropod can be any of several mollusks with a single (univalve) shell and single muscle. Among the more common gastropods are the abalone, limpet, periwinkle, snail and whelk. With a few exceptions (such as the abalone), gastropods are not as highly regarded culinarily as bivalve mollusks such as the clam and oyster.