Invertebrates-the Crayfish
Crayfish Invertebrate Research Paper
Crayfish are interesting animals to study. Through invertebrate research, experimentation, and observation, there has been much to learn about with these animals. There is much to know about these creatures, including their classification in the "animal kingdom." Anatomy as well as how the crayfish reproduce is an important aspect of these organisms. Perhaps the most important part of the crayfish is there ecology. Studying ecology alone can give substantial information on the life of the animal (or in this case crayfish). Experience with the crayfish had become an increasingly important factor in getting to know more about the crayfish. Observations of their behavior have brought us many first hand interpretations of how these critters eat, wander, defend, escape, live, etc. Experimentation on behavior has given us quantitative data on certain aspects of the crayfish after we hypothesized about the outcomes. We drew conclusions from the data and have related certain specific behavior patterns with past readings on animal behavior. Crayfish, also called crawfish or crawdad, are closely related to the lobsters, crabs, and even shrimp in the class malacostraca. Crayfish are related to lobsters, crabs, pill bugs, krill, and many more in the phylum crustacea. More than half of the more than 500 species of crayfish occur in North America, especially in Kentucky and Louisiana in the Mississippi basin. Crayfish also live in Europe, New Zealand, East Asia and throughout the world. Mostly all crayfish live in freshwater, although a few survive in salt water. A joined head and thorax, or midsection, and a segmented body characterize crayfish. The body can appear dark red, yellow, green, or dark brown in color. There are also many crayfish that have the potential to turn a bright blue color during their lives. Our crayfish had this potential, as some did turn blue, so they belong to the species Alleni. Our crayfish
Crayfish are interesting animals to study. Through invertebrate research, experimentation, and observation, there has been much to learn about with these animals. There is much to know about these creatures, including their classification in the "animal kingdom." Anatomy as well as how the crayfish reproduce is an important aspect of these organisms. Perhaps the most important part of the crayfish is there ecology. Studying ecology alone can give substantial information on the life of the animal (or in this case crayfish). Experience with the crayfish had become an increasingly important factor in getting to know more about the crayfish. Observations of their behavior have brought us many first hand interpretations of how these critters eat, wander, defend, escape, live, etc. Experimentation on behavior has given us quantitative data on certain aspects of the crayfish after we hypothesized about the outcomes. We drew conclusions from the data and have related certain specific behavior patterns with past readings on animal behavior. Crayfish, also called crawfish or crawdad, are closely related to the lobsters, crabs, and even shrimp in the class malacostraca. Crayfish are related to lobsters, crabs, pill bugs, krill, and many more in the phylum crustacea. More than half of the more than 500 species of crayfish occur in North America, especially in Kentucky and Louisiana in the Mississippi basin. Crayfish also live in Europe, New Zealand, East Asia and throughout the world. Mostly all crayfish live in freshwater, although a few survive in salt water. A joined head and thorax, or midsection, and a segmented body characterize crayfish. The body can appear dark red, yellow, green, or dark brown in color. There are also many crayfish that have the potential to turn a bright blue color during their lives. Our crayfish had this potential, as some did turn blue, so they belong to the species Alleni. Our crayfish
References: Fox, R. February 12, 2000. External Anatomy of the Crayfish. Retrieved April, 20, 2005, from Biodiversity, Laboratory Exercises at the Richard S. Fox Web Site: http://www.lander.edu/rsfox/300crayfishLab.html. Biology of the Northern Crayfish. 2005. Retrieved April 17, 2005, from Nature North Web site: http://www.naturenorth.com/fall/crayfish/cray2.htm. Myers, P. 2001. Subphylum Crustacea. Retrieved April 17, 2005, from Animal Diversity Web site: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Crustac ea.html Crayfish Information. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2005 from Crayfish Corner Web site: http://www.mackers.com/crayfish/index.html#about. Fetzner Jr., J. W. 2002. General Crayfish Biology. Retrieved April 19, 2005 from General Crayfish Biology Web site: http://crayfish.byu.edu/crayfish_biology.htm.