As part of our study of Kingdom Animalia, we visited the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) to find examples of Invertebrate and Vertebrate features there. The aquarium contains many examples of mollusks, cnidarians, arthropods, and fish, among others. The zoo has exhibits from Bermuda, as well as other parts of the world, such as Madagascar and Australasia. And in the museum, there is a wealth of information and specimens of extinct and extant species that have lived in and around Bermuda.
Each species found here has adapted certain features that contribute(d) to its success and which help taxonomists group each one into its respective genus, family, order, class, and phylum.
Each species found here has adapted certain features that contribute(d) to its success and which help taxonomists group each one into its respective genus, family, order, class, and phylum.
The Invertebrate Features
Invertebrates are animals without a backbone. This group includes the phyla Porifera, Mollusca, Cnidaria, Annelids and Echinodermata. Although invertebrate organisms have their lack of a backbone in common, they represent a huge diversity of species making up 99% of Kingdom Animalia.
Bilateral Symmetry
Phylum: Mollusca Class: Polyplacophora Order: Chitonida Family: Chitonidae Genus: Chiton Species: C. tuberculatus Bilateral Symmetry - body plan having a right and left side. Found in all vertebrates and some invertebrates. |
Radial Symmetry
Phylum: Echinodermata Class: Echinoidea Superorder: Echinacea Order: Camarodonta Family: Echinometridae Genus: Echinometra Species: E. lucunter Radial Symmetry - body plan where the two halves are mirror images when organism is sliced through central axis. |
Protostome Development
Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Malacostraca Order: Decapoda Family: Palinuridae Genus: Panulirus Species: P. argus Protostome development - a developmental mode where the mouth develops from the blastospore. Characterized by spiral cleavage. Budding
Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Anthozoa Order: Actiniaria Family: Actiniidae Genus: Condylactis Species: C. gigantea Budding - method of asexual reproduction involving outgrowth from one parent, which pinches off to create viable offspring. Triploblastic Organism
Phylum: Mollusca Class: Gastropoda Family: Chromodorididae Genus: Hypselodoris Species: H. zebra Triploblastic Organism - possessing three germ (tissue) layers: endoderm, mesoderm, ectoderm. Nematocyst
Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Anthozoa Order: Scleractinia Family: Mussidae Genus: Scolymia Species: S. cubensis Nematocyst - stinging tentacles/cells found in Phylum Cnidaria (corals, jellyfish, anemones, etc.) Tubed Feet
Phylum: Echinodermata Class: Asteroidea Order: Valvatida Family: Oreasteridae Genus: Oreaster Species: O. reticulatus Tubed Feet - part of the echinoderm's water vascular system, they function in locomotion, feeding, & gas exchange in water. |
Deuterostome development
Phylum: Echinodermata Class: Asteroidea Order: Spinulosida Family: Echinasteridae Genus: Echinaster Species: E. spinulosus Deuterostome development - developmental mode where the anus develops from the blastospore, characterized by radial cleavage. Found in all vertebrates and sea stars. Polyp
Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Anthozoa Order: Actiniaria Family: Aiptasiidae Genus: Aiptasia Species: A. pallida Polyp - Sessile (stationary) body form of Phylum Cnidaria (corals, jellyfish, anemones, etc.). Gastrovascular Cavity
Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Anthozoa Order: Alcyonacea Family: Anthothelidae Genus: Gorgonia Species: G. ventalina Gastrovascular Cavity - a central cavity with a single opening for both digestion and distribution of nutrients. Filter Feeders
Phylum: Porifera Class: Demospongiae Order: Dictyoceratida Family: Spongiidae Genus: Spongia Species: S. tubulifera Filter Feeders - invertebrates which are sessile and rely on currents to bring nutrients to them. Phylum Porifera & Cnidaria. |
The Vertebrate Features
Vertebrates are animals with backbones. Making up the majority of the phylum chordata, they have four main features in common: the notochord, which is a stiff rod running the length of the body, the dorsal nerve cord - a hollow tube of nervous tissue, a post-anal tail, and pharyngeal gill slits.
Cartilaginous Endoskeleton
Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondreichthyes Order: Orectolobiformes Family: Ginglymostomatidae Genus: Ginglymostoma Species: G. cirratum Cartilaginous endoskeleton - characteristic of Chondreichtyes class of fish (sharks) Operculum
Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Actinopterygii Subclass: Neopterygii Infraclass: Teleostei Order: Tetraodontiformes Family: Tetraodontidae Operculum - protective bony flap that covers and protects the gills Endothermy
Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Subfamily: Lutrinae Genus: Aonyx Species: A. cinerea Endothermy - ability to regulate one's own body heat through metabolism Mammary Glands
Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae Subfamily: Callosciurinae Genus: Callosciurus Mammary Glands - glands used to produce milk to nourish offspring Gizzard
Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Genus: Ara Species: A. ararauna Gizzard - part of a bird's digestive system which grinds up hard foods |
Swim Bladder
Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Scorpaeniformes Family: Scorpaenidae Subfamily: Pteroinae Genus: Pterois Swim Bladder - found in class Osteichthyes (bony fish), an air sac that helps control buoyancy in water Dry Skin with Horny Scales
Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Scincidae Genus: Plestiodon Species: P. longirostris_ Dry Skin with Horny Scales - scales with abundant keratin present in Reptiles Ectothermy
Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Boidae Genus: Acrantophis Species: A. madagascariensis Ectothermy - requiring an external heat source, such as the sun, to regulate body temperature Air Sacs
Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Podargidae Genus: Podargus Species: P. strigoides Air sacs - improve airflow and oxygen intake in birds Air Breathing Skin
Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Bufonidae Genus: Rhinella Species: R. marinus Air breathing skin - ability of amphibians to use their skin as a respiratory surface |
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrata
Shark photo. http://www.tripadvisor.ca/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g147255-d147862-i72306366-Bermuda_Aquarium_Natural_History_Museum_Zoo-Bermuda.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrata
Shark photo. http://www.tripadvisor.ca/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g147255-d147862-i72306366-Bermuda_Aquarium_Natural_History_Museum_Zoo-Bermuda.html