Matthew Myers

Lab Report 2
Bio 2 Lab
2/10/2015

Invertebrates
I. Introduction
Throughout the animal world we see a vast amount of organisms that lived without the
support of a rigid backbone. These animals are called invertebrates. This lab was specifically
designed to find the similarities and differences of each of the invertebrate species and to be able
to identify the organs of each species. Invertebrates are classified into 30 phyla unlike the 5
groups the vertebrates are classified under. Because of this large group of phyla, the lab took the
3 most abundant for dissection. The earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris), the blue crab (Callinectes
sapidus), and the squid (Loligo vulgaris).

II. Dissection Methods

Earthworm:
1. Observe universal protection outlines and put on gloves.
2. Observe the external parts of the earthworm. Turn the worm over to its ventral side.
3. Using a scalpel, make an incision that isnt too deep starting at segment 31.

4. Use forceps to spread the incision open and pin the worm to the dissection pan.
5. From this open look identification of the internal parts is easy.

Blue Crab:
1. Observe universal protection and put on gloves.
2. Using scissors, insert them into the lateral posterior edge of the dorsal carapace.
3. Cut around the entire carapace.
4. Use a scalpel to scrape away the underlying tissue.
5. Remove the epidermis to expose internal organs.

Squid:
1. Observe universal protection and put on gloves.
2. Locate the mouth in between the feeding arms and using the forceps, extract the black
beaks from inside the mouth.
3. In the same region, locate the radula (small tongue like structure of yellow or whitish
color). Extract it using forceps and scissors.
4. Turn the specimen over to its ventral side.
5. Using a scalpel, slice open an eyeball and locate the creamy white brain.
6. Using forceps, pinch the mantle located behind the head and funnel and use scissors
to cut it open.
7. Using forceps, carefully locate the ink sac and lightly hold it with the forceps. Using
scissors, cut away the flesh attaching to it and extract it.

8. Locate the gladius opening on the posterior end of the mantle. Extract it by using
forceps and pulling it out.

III. Dissection Results

Earthworm

Blue Crab

Squid

IV. Anatomy and Physiology Discussion

When looking at the earthworm, it can be seen that there are no legs. This is because the
worm uses its body muscles to squirm and pull its way through the soil where it lives. The worm
also does not have eyes or ears. Instead, the worm uses its mouth to taste. It takes in food through
its mouth and disposes it through the anus. The worms exoskeleton is basically a thin epidermis,
therefore there isnt a lot of protection. The worms native environment is soil. All worms are
hermaphrodites which means they basically are both male and female at the same time and
reproduce a-sexually. The worm also has 5 hearts.
When looking at the blue crab, there are 10 legs. This makes it classified decapoda
family. The crab uses these legs to crawl on the ocean floor where it lives. It uses its large
pincers (chela) to grab food (this pincer is also used as protection), and uses its smaller pincers

inside its mouth to pull the food into the mouth. It uses its antennas to find the prey by using its
unique sense of vibrations. Once the food enters the body it is broken down and released through
the anus. The crabs sexual organs are basically in its head. The testes are located inside the shell
near the front of the dorsal side. They reproduce by laying eggs and the males ejaculate sperm
over them to fertilize them.
The squid uses two fins on either side of it to propel it through the ocean waters where it
lives. The squid uses its long arms to capture its prey and pulls it towards its smaller feeding
arms. The smaller arms pull the prey into the mouth where a beak crushes it up and the gladius
pulls it into the digestive track. The sexual reproductive organs are found inside the mantle of the
squid which gives it a little bit of protection from predators. Squids reproduce by attaching
themselves to another squid of the opposite sex and inserting the reproductive organs into the
other squid and fertilizing the eggs in the ovaries.

V. Conclusion
The purpose of this lab was to identify differences and similarities between the
invertebrate species as well as important organs. This was important to identify the
classifications of the species.
I thought that the most interesting dissection from this weeks lab was the worm. I
thought it was interesting because of the amount of organs this species contains in such a small
area.

VI. References.
Lab Manual
Textbook