The Invertebrate module consists of a classroom/aquarium session and a laboratory session. The classroom session familiarizes students with the invertebrate phyla and selected species, which they are likely to encounter on local reefs. It is not reasonable to expect divers to identify, or even see all of the invertebrates colonizing a reef; this is one of the reasons for reef research. Tthe goal of this session is to develop a heightened awareness and a foundation for further study.

The laboratory session covers preservation of specimens, weighing and sorting for biomass analyses, identification of preserved specimens, analysis of photographic data and the maintenance of the physical archives.

Classroom Objectives

At the completition of Intevertebrate module classroom session, the students should be able to:

• Demonstrate the following knowledge of reef ecology:

• Describe the succession of organisms that make up the fouling community on an artificial reef
• Explain the difference between an autotroph and a heterotroph
• Name three types of symbiotic relationships
• State the energy source and products of photosynthesis and respiration
• Name two components of a "niche" which are provided by an artificial reef
• Draw a food pyramid
• List, in descending order, the taxonomic categories used to classify an animal.

• Describe the symmetry and key features of the following phyla, which are frequently found on local reefs

• Annelida (segmented worms)
• Arthropoda (crustaceans; shrimp, crabs, lobster and barnacles, pyenogonids)
• Chordata (tunicates)
• Cnidaria (corals, hydroids and jellyfish)
• Ctenophora (comb jellies)
• Echinodermata (starfish, sea urchins)
• Ectoprocta (bryozoans)
• Mollusca (shells, squid, octopi)
• Porifera (sponges)

• Identify 20 selected invertebrates
• Preserve invertebrate specimens collected in the field
• Weigh and sort specimens to determine total and percent of biomass
• Identify a specimen using photographs and keys
• Log and store a specimen
• Analyze and log a photograph