Arthropod
Red king crab
Classification
Kingdom- Animalia
Phylum- Arthropoda Class- Malacostraca Order- Decapoda Family- Lithodidae Genus- Paralithodes Species- Paralithodes camtschatica Common Name- Red King Crab |
MorphologyRed king crabs have bilateral symmetry.
Due to the smaller size of the juveniles their exoskeleton is structurally more rigid. Red king crabs are a species of large crab that appear dark red or burgundy in color. Red king crabs can grow very large with carapace lengths up to 11 inches and a five foot leg span. They have five pairs of legs. The right claw is usually the largest on the adults. |
biologyThe main environmental factors the red king crabs are most dependent on are a
plentiful food source and ability of successful reproduction. The red king crabs can also
interact better to the environment with their strong communication abilities. The crabs have compound eyes which lets them see more clearly.
They also use their sense of touch by feeling around the environment
by the antenna on their head. The red king crabs also communicate chemically
through pheromones, using the chemicals as either a warning signal or a sign by
the female implying she is ready to mate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fMyL5jCRhjA |
Distribution map
Importance: ecological and economical
Crabs are very important economically because they are edible. These edible crabs can be found on the british and european coasts and in North America. As adults, red king crabs are major predators. The mass number of zoea also serve as a food source for many organisms.
facts
1. Typical lifespan of a red king crab is 15 to 20 years. Could also live up to 30 years.
2. Only male king crab can be kept and sold to processors.
3. The average weight is 6 to 10 pounds but can reach 20 pounds.
4. 60% of king crab goes from the water to cooked individual sections. 25% of king crab goes from live to cooked meat and 42% of king crab starts as a cooked section and becomes cooked meat.
5. A new crab fishermen is referred to as a greenhorn.
2. Only male king crab can be kept and sold to processors.
3. The average weight is 6 to 10 pounds but can reach 20 pounds.
4. 60% of king crab goes from the water to cooked individual sections. 25% of king crab goes from live to cooked meat and 42% of king crab starts as a cooked section and becomes cooked meat.
5. A new crab fishermen is referred to as a greenhorn.
vocabulary
exoskeleton- an external covering or integument, especially when hard, as the shells of crustaceans (opposed to endoskeleton ).
carapace- a bony or chitinous shield, test, or shell covering some or all of the dorsal part of an animal, as of a turtle.
antenna- one of the jointed, movable, sensory appendages occurring in pairs on the heads of insects and most other arthropods.
predators- any organism that exists by preying upon other organisms.
greenhorn- a new crab fisherman.
carapace- a bony or chitinous shield, test, or shell covering some or all of the dorsal part of an animal, as of a turtle.
antenna- one of the jointed, movable, sensory appendages occurring in pairs on the heads of insects and most other arthropods.
predators- any organism that exists by preying upon other organisms.
greenhorn- a new crab fisherman.
resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_king_crab
http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/luchsing_sara/classification.htm
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=redkingcrab.main
http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/luchsing_sara/classification.htm
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=redkingcrab.main
Echinoderm
brittle stars
Kingdom-
Animalia
Phylum-Echinodermata Class-Ophiuroidea Order-Ophiurida Family-Ophiodermatidae Genus-Ophiothrix Species-Spiculata Common Name-Brittle Star biologyThe types of ophiuroids range from bottom detritus to suspended particles and
plankton, depending on the species. Due to this large variation in
food preference, different species have adapted different methods of prey
capture. Some of the methods for feeding on small particles is arm waving and
creating mucus nests between arms to capture phytoplankton or other suspended
particles. Some species also make use of the podia to capture small prey and push it
towards the mouth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myhp8ifW6ig Distribution map |
MorphologyOf all echinoderms, the brittle star may have the strongest tendency toward five-segment radial (pentaradial) symmetry. Adults do not use their tube feet for locomotion, but some young ones use them as stilts and even serve as an adhesive structure. The arms of brittle stars are lined with numerous spines that are placed
in rows and they have several tube feet along the rows. In some
species, the dense concentration of spines gives the brittle stars a fuzzy
appearance.
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importance: ecological and economical
There is evidence to
suggest that massive aggregations of suspension-feeding brittlestars can have an
important effect on water quality in coastal environments and may even help
counteract some of the potentially harmful effects of eutrophication
(proliferation of planktonic algae) caused by human input of nutrients into the
sea. The beds may then play a significant role in the ecological
functioning of coastal seas. Brittlestar beds are currently of no economic importance. No species are
harvested from them and they are not thought to be significant feeding or
nursery grounds for any commercially-important fish or shellfish.
Facts
1. The mouths of brittle stars and basket stars are located on their underside. They have no anus, so wastes are also expelled through the mouth.
2. These very flexible animals can curl themselves into a tight ball when they are threatened or disturbed.
3. Brittle stars live in a wide range of water depths—from the shoreline down to 6,755 feet (2,059 m).
4. Brittle stars occur in incredible numbers on the sandy seafloor. In kelp forests near La Jolla in southern California, millions of them may carpet the seafloor in layers up to an inch thick.
5. Brittlestars can move quickly and in any direction.
2. These very flexible animals can curl themselves into a tight ball when they are threatened or disturbed.
3. Brittle stars live in a wide range of water depths—from the shoreline down to 6,755 feet (2,059 m).
4. Brittle stars occur in incredible numbers on the sandy seafloor. In kelp forests near La Jolla in southern California, millions of them may carpet the seafloor in layers up to an inch thick.
5. Brittlestars can move quickly and in any direction.
vocabulary
radial symmetry- a basic body plan in which the organism can be divided into similar halves by passing a plane at any angle along a central axis, characteristic of sessile and bottom-dwelling animals, as the sea anemone and starfish.
ophiuroids- any echinoderm of the subclass Ophiuroidea, including brittle stars, basket stars, and others, characterized by elongate arms radiating from the disk.
mucus- a viscous, slimy mixture of mucins, water, electrolytes, epithelial cells, and leukocytes that is secreted by glands lining the nasal, esophageal, and other body cavities and serves primarily to protect and lubricate surfaces.
eutrophication- pertaining to or being in a condition of eutrophy.
nutrients- providing nourishment or nutriment.
ophiuroids- any echinoderm of the subclass Ophiuroidea, including brittle stars, basket stars, and others, characterized by elongate arms radiating from the disk.
mucus- a viscous, slimy mixture of mucins, water, electrolytes, epithelial cells, and leukocytes that is secreted by glands lining the nasal, esophageal, and other body cavities and serves primarily to protect and lubricate surfaces.
eutrophication- pertaining to or being in a condition of eutrophy.
nutrients- providing nourishment or nutriment.