lesson 22.1

lesson 22.2

CHAPTER 22: Worms and Mollusks

22.1 FLATWORMS AND ROUNDWORMS

Introduction to the Platyhelminthes

A brief discussion of the flatworms--their anatomy, their classification, and their life cycle--can be found on this page from the University of California Museum of Paleontology. Visit this page to read about their fossil record and distinguishing characteristics and to find links to other resources.

 

The Bad Bug Book

This online reference from the Food and Drug Administration is not about bugs at all--it's about viruses, bacteria, protistans, and invertebrate parasites that cause disease in humans. It includes diseases caused by:

• broad fish tapeworm
• flukes
• red roundworm
• large roundworm and whip worm
• various nematodes
  

 

Infectious Diseases

This site from the World Health Organization provides information about roundworms and flatworms. Visit the sites below to learn more about disease caused by flatworms and roundworms:

• Schistosomiasis
• Lymphatic Filariasis
• Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease)
• Onchocerciasis (River Blindness)
  

 

Introduction to the "Aschelminth" Phyla

Also known as Nemathelminthes or Pseudocoelomata, this group of ten different phyla includes the roundworms, arrow worms, and rotifers. Find out more about these organisms from this University of California Museum of Paleontology site.

 

Onchocerciasis

Read more about the life of this fly-borne filarial worm, which can cause blindness in humans. This is just one parasite featured at The World of Parasites from Jim Smith, an instructor at McGill University in Canada.

 

22.2 MOLLUSKS

Phylum Mollusca

This site has a description of the body structure and ecological role of mollusks, plus descriptions of the seven mollusk classes. This page is part of the Animal Diversity Web site from the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology.

 

In Search of Giant Squid

Learn the myths and facts about the largest invertebrate on Earth from the Ocean Planet Exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution.

 

About Octopuses

This short but informative description of this agile invertebrate comes from the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. The page discusses the behavior, defenses, and astounding intelligence of this shell-less mollusk.

 

Kaikoura

Explore New Zealand's Kaikoura Canyon with the National Geographic Society to search for the giant squid. This web article features photos of the local animal life, squids, and the crew. It also has an animation of squid propulsion.

 

Zebra Mussels: The New Inland Shell Game

Did you ever wonder what a shopping cart looks like after it has spent some time at the bottom of Lake Michigan? One look and you'll understand why there's so much fuss over the zebra mussel.

22.3 SEGMENTED WORMS

Introduction to Annelida

Everything you ever wanted to know about annelids can be found at this University of California Museum of Paleontology site. Click on the systematics section to learn more about specific annelids. You can also visit close relatives such as the Echiura and the Pogonophora, two phyla closely related to phylum Annelida.

 

Spoon Worm

Among the strangest sex lives in the animal world is that of Bonellia viridis. The female of this species lives most of her life with dozens of adult male spoon worms living inside her. Read the weird-but-true facts about this Echiuran at this page.

 

Tree of Life: Class Hirudinea

This page describes the phylogeny of the leeches and provides links to other sources of leech information.