Which group includes soft-bodied animals like clams and octopuses?

Mollusca is the correct choice because it refers to a diverse group of invertebrate animals that are characterized by their soft bodies, which are often protected by hard shells. This phylum includes well-known examples such as clams and octopuses, both of which exhibit distinct features. Clams possess a two-part shell and a soft body, while octopuses, which belong to the class Cephalopoda within Mollusca, are known for their intelligence, flexibility, and lack of a shell.

The other options do not include soft-bodied animals. Annelida encompasses segmented worms, such as earthworms and leeches, which have a different body structure. Pterophyta refers to ferns, which are vascular plants and do not include any animals at all. Ginkgophyta is a group of gymnosperms represented by a single living species, Ginkgo biloba, which is also unrelated to soft-bodied animals. Thus, Mollusca is the only group that correctly identifies the soft-bodied characteristics of clams and octopuses.