Types of Invertebrates
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Kinorhyncha or Echinodera -> Tiny worms with spiny bodies. An outer protective cuticle is segmented and articulated. Found in the muddy bottoms of coastal waters, they feed on microorganisms and organic particles by means of a sucking pharynx. Reproduction is sexual. Examples: Echinoderes, Condyloderes
Nematoda -> Commonly known as roundworms, these animals are one of the most diverse and geographically widespread invertebrate phyla. Free-living roundworms inhabit freshwater and marine habitats, as well as soil. Parasitic roundworms prey on both plants and animals, causing widespread agricultural damage and disease. Roundworms have long, cylindrical bodies with a mouth surrounded by lips and sensory papillae or bristles. Fluid in the body cavity distributes nutrients and oxygen—roundworms do not have special respiratory or circulatory systems. Roundworms prey on other invertebrates as well as diatoms, algae, and fungi. They reproduce sexually and larvae undergo at least four molts before reaching their adult size and shape. – Examples: Ascarids, vinegar eels, cyst nematodes, heartworms, hookworms
Nematomorpha -> Long, threadlike worms found in soil or freshwater, commonly known as horsehair worms. They have no distinct head. Larvae are parasitic on terrestrial arthropods, usually insects. Adults do not feed but depend entirely on nutrients obtained during the parasitic larval stage. Reproduction is sexual. – Examples: Nectoneme, gordian worms
Acanthocephala -> Worms characterized by the presence of retractable spiny hooks that attach to the intestinal walls of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates. Lacking a digestive tract, these worms absorb nutrients through their body wall. Reproduction is sexual and the life cycle includes larval forms that are parasites of crustaceans or insects. – Examples: Spiny-headed worms
Gnathostomulida -> Elongated, ciliated worms that live in marine sand. These animals have a mouth structure with a combed plate and toothed jaws. Bacteria and fungi are scraped into the mouth by the comb and passed into the gut by snapping movements of the jaws. Hermaphroditic, these animals reproduce sexually. – Examples: Jaw worms
Mollusca -> Diverse animals found in water and on land. Most mollusks have a hard shell that protects a soft body, although in some mollusks the hard shell is missing or hardly visible. A feeding organ called a radula contains rows of teeth used to scrape food into the mouth. Enzymes in salivary glands partially digest food before it reaches the intestines. Reproduction is sexual and some mollusks have a larval form. – Examples: Chitons, oysters, snails, clams, squid
Nematoda -> Commonly known as roundworms, these animals are one of the most diverse and geographically widespread invertebrate phyla. Free-living roundworms inhabit freshwater and marine habitats, as well as soil. Parasitic roundworms prey on both plants and animals, causing widespread agricultural damage and disease. Roundworms have long, cylindrical bodies with a mouth surrounded by lips and sensory papillae or bristles. Fluid in the body cavity distributes nutrients and oxygen—roundworms do not have special respiratory or circulatory systems. Roundworms prey on other invertebrates as well as diatoms, algae, and fungi. They reproduce sexually and larvae undergo at least four molts before reaching their adult size and shape. – Examples: Ascarids, vinegar eels, cyst nematodes, heartworms, hookworms
Nematomorpha -> Long, threadlike worms found in soil or freshwater, commonly known as horsehair worms. They have no distinct head. Larvae are parasitic on terrestrial arthropods, usually insects. Adults do not feed but depend entirely on nutrients obtained during the parasitic larval stage. Reproduction is sexual. – Examples: Nectoneme, gordian worms
Acanthocephala -> Worms characterized by the presence of retractable spiny hooks that attach to the intestinal walls of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates. Lacking a digestive tract, these worms absorb nutrients through their body wall. Reproduction is sexual and the life cycle includes larval forms that are parasites of crustaceans or insects. – Examples: Spiny-headed worms
Gnathostomulida -> Elongated, ciliated worms that live in marine sand. These animals have a mouth structure with a combed plate and toothed jaws. Bacteria and fungi are scraped into the mouth by the comb and passed into the gut by snapping movements of the jaws. Hermaphroditic, these animals reproduce sexually. – Examples: Jaw worms
Mollusca -> Diverse animals found in water and on land. Most mollusks have a hard shell that protects a soft body, although in some mollusks the hard shell is missing or hardly visible. A feeding organ called a radula contains rows of teeth used to scrape food into the mouth. Enzymes in salivary glands partially digest food before it reaches the intestines. Reproduction is sexual and some mollusks have a larval form. – Examples: Chitons, oysters, snails, clams, squid
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