Difference between revisions of "Invertebrate"
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An '''invertebrate''' (in contrast to a [[vertebrate]]), is an [[animal]] with no [[spine]]. Most living things are invertebrates, including [[arthropod]]s, [[mollusc]]s, and [[bacteria]]. | An '''invertebrate''' (in contrast to a [[vertebrate]]), is an [[animal]] with no [[spine]]. Most living things are invertebrates, including [[arthropod]]s, [[mollusc]]s, and [[bacteria]]. | ||
| − | [[Shark]]s and [[ray]] | + | [[Shark]]s and [[sting ray|rays]] are a special class under this description, since they do not have bony [[skeleton]]s, and hence no spine. They do, however, have a similar structure to vertebrates. They are called [[notochord]]s. |
The phyla contained in Invertebrata are: | The phyla contained in Invertebrata are: | ||
Revision as of 14:25, August 8, 2007
An invertebrate (in contrast to a vertebrate), is an animal with no spine. Most living things are invertebrates, including arthropods, molluscs, and bacteria.
Sharks and rays are a special class under this description, since they do not have bony skeletons, and hence no spine. They do, however, have a similar structure to vertebrates. They are called notochords.
The phyla contained in Invertebrata are:
- Protozoa - Mostly simple, single-celled organisms
- Porifera - Sponges
- Coelentera - Hydra, jellyfish, anemones and corals
- Echinoderma - Starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers
- Annelida - Worms
- Brachiopoda - Bivalves, such as mussels and clams
- Polyzoa - Single celled criiters that usually form colonies
- Mullusca - Whelks, ammonites, cuttlefish, squids, snails, etc.
- Arthropoda - Crustaceans, insects, arachnids, trilobites, etc.[1]
References
- ↑ Invertebrate Paleontology, Henry Woods, Cambridge University Press, 8th Edition (1946)