Invertebrates
The Backboneless Ones
By: Jhanvi Parvathaneni
Sponge
Touch-me-not sponge
Neofibularia nolitangere
- The touch-me-not sponge is cake shaped with huge encrustings.
- When in contact with skin, it may cause horrible rash, swelling, or numbness.
- This animal is extremely fragile and very crumbly.
Echinoderm
Cushion Sea Star
Oreaster reticulatus
- The cushion sea star has unusual thick, short arms.
- When young, it is olive green, then as it ages, it turns brown or orange.
- This starfish is mostly found on the Caribbeans.
Mollusk
Coffee Bean Trivia
Niveria pediculus
- The Coffee bean trivia has dark spots on its body.
- Its colors may vary from red to yellow
- This mollusk has a narrow opening along it's underside.
Segmented Worm
Magnificent Feather Duster
Sabellastarte magnifica
- The Magnificent feather duster is the largest feather duster worm.
- It has feathers with patterns sort of like a peacock's.
- This worm has a crown!
Arthropod
Painted Lady Butterfly
Vanessa carolui
- The Painted Lady Butterfly lays tiny, pale green eggs.
- This butterfly is also called the "thistle butterfly".
- Some of these butterflies hibernate in the winter.