Lab Activity 11.4
Zooplankton Identification

  Directions

Study the instructional material below. Be sure to click on each of the photographs for an enlarged view in a separate window. The larger version is necessary to complete the assignment. It opens in a separate window which can be resized by grabbing the bottom right corner and dragging it. It can also be moved by grabbing the top heading bar and dragging it. Be sure to close the extra window by using the X in IBM, or the close box in MAC when you are finished using them.

  Introduction


Planktonic animals are well adapted for living in the open waters of the pelagic environment. They have unique characteristics that allow them to survive in the absence of solid ground. In this lab activity you will become familiar with the characteristics of several defferent types of zooplankton and study their taxonomic affinities.

Top  Instruction

Examine all of the photographs of the zooplankton by clicking each of the thumbnail pictures. Study the descriptions that go with each photograph and pay particular attention to the shape and identifying characteristics of each. Learn to match each example with its phylum.

Be sure to write about what you are learning in the lab section of your notebook. You will be expected to answer questions about the lab activity during the lab self test and lab quiz. It helps to have your text and coloring books open beside you for support.

 
Supporting Information
Refer to the Assigned Readings Below:
Marine Biology Textbook Chapter 15, pages 328 to 336
Marine Biology Coloring Book Plates 24 and 35
 

Phylum Arthropoda, Class Crustacea

Planktonic crustaceans, are the most important zooplankton in the ocean. Crustaceans are usually .

Species: Waterflas

Shape: Oval shaped.

Identifying Characteristics: Legs at one end just below a large head with eyes
Species: Copepods
Shape: Elongate with long, thick anterior portion and short, narrow posterior portion.
Identifying Characteristics: Anterior portion with legs and 2 long antennae. Posterior portion is legless.
Species: Amphipods
Shape: Comma shaped.
Identifying Characteristics: Two pairs of antennae, large eyes, and legs of various sorts along their entire length.
Species: Mysids
Shape: Elongate with a thick anterior and narrow posterior.
Identifying Characteristics: Long legs up front and short legs in back. With two pairs of short, bushy antennae and stalked eyes.
Species: Euphasids
Shape: Elongate with a thick body.
Identifying Characteristics: Long legs up front and short legs in back. With two pairs of long, slender antennae and large stalked eyes.
Species: Decapods
Shape: Elongate with a thick body
Identifying Characteristics: Long legs up front and short legs in back. With two pairs of short, bushy antennae and large stalked eyes.

Phylum Cnidaria

Planktonic cnidarians, are

Species: Hydromedusae
Shape: Bell or umberella shaped
Identifying Characteristics: A fringe of tentacles on the bell's edge. Visible internal organs are in multiples of fours.
Species: Scyphomedusae
Shape: Bell or umberella shaped
Identifying Characteristics: A fringe of tentacles on the bell's edge. Visible internal organs are in multiples of fours.
Species: Siphonophores
Shape: Bag-like; not bell shaped.
Identifying Characteristics: Long trailing tentacles.

Phylum Ctenophora

Ctenophorans are

Species: Comb Jellies
Shape: Round to oval shaped.
Identifying Characteristics: Parallel rows of hair-like structures on sides.

Phylum Chaetognatha

Chaetognaths are

Species: Arrow Worms
Shape: Long, narrow, worm-like shape.
Identifying Characteristics: A swelled head and a flattened tail.

Phylum Chordata

Chordates are

Species: Appendicularians
Shape: Elongate, worm-like shape
Identifying Characteristics: Round body with a long, narrow tail.
Species: Salps
Shape: Barrel shaped.
Identifying Characteristics: A series of ring-like structures encircle the body.
Species: Fish Larvae
Shape: Long, narrow body,
Identifying Characteristics: Visible body segments. Tail is expanded and thin. Eyes are large.