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Invertebrates have four species endangered in the state
of Florida. They have no threatened species at this time, but have four
species of special concern.. Of the million or more animal species in
the world, more than 98% are invertebrates. Invertebrates don't have an
internal skeleton made of bone. Many invertebrates have a fluid-filled,
hydrostatic skeleton, like the jelly fish or worm. Others have a hard
outer shell, like insects and crustaceans. There are many types of
invertebrates. The most common invertebrates include the protozoa,
annelids, echinoderms, mollusks and arthropods. Arthropods include
insects, crustaceans and arachnids. Endangered and at risk invertebrates
in the state of Florida include
corals, crustaceans, insects,
and mollusks Corals- Coral organisms, called polyps, can live on their own, but are primarily associated with the spectacularly diverse limestone communities, or reefs, they construct. Coral polyps are tiny, soft-bodied organisms related to sea anemones and jellyfish. At their base is a hard, protective limestone skeleton called a calicle, which forms the structure of coral reefs. Reefs begin when a polyp attaches itself to a rock on the sea floor, then divides, or buds, into thousands of clones. The polyp calicles connect to one another, creating a colony that acts as a single organism. As colonies grow over hundreds and thousands of years, they join with other colonies and become reefs. Some of the coral reefs on the planet today began growing over 50 million years ago. Coral polyps are actually translucent animals. Reefs get their wild hues from the billions of colorful zoo xanthellae algae they host. When stressed by such things as temperature change or pollution, corals will evict their boarders, causing coral bleaching that can kill the colony if the stress is not mitigated. Corals live in tropical waters throughout the world, generally close to the surface where the sun's rays can reach the algae. While corals get most of their nutrients from the byproducts of the algae's photosynthesis, they also have barbed, venomous tentacles they can stick out, usually at night, to grab zooplankton and even small fish. Coral reefs teem with life, covering less than one percent of the ocean floor, but supporting about 25 percent of all marine creatures. ![]() Crustaceans- Crustaceans are a type of Arthropod. The name may not sound familiar, but you probably know them. You may even have eaten one. Crustaceans live mostly in the ocean or other waters. Most commonly known crustaceans are the crab, lobster and barnacle. Crustaceans have a hard, external shell which protects their body. Crustaceans have a head and abdomen. The head has antennae which are part of their sensory system. The abdomen includes the heart, digestive system and reproductive system. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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