Platyhelminthes and Nematoda
What is Platyhelminthes and Nematoda?
Platyhelminthes are flatworms and nematodes are round worms. Flatworms are flat because they do not have a body cavity and therefore the three cell layers are not separated. Flatworms have a two way gut with food entering the mouth and waste products leaving the same way because of the gut dead ends and there is no anus. Nematodes and annelids have a body cavity and are round instead of flat. Nematodes are not segmented unlike annelids.
Nematodes in the Park
Palolo Worm (Palola viridis) are nematodes. There are over 14 species of palolo worm, most of which are found in tropical waters, but their larvae disperse widely and the worms are found in most tropical and temperate oceans of the world. Palolo worms spend most of their life burrowing into coral. To reproduce they generate a tail made up of segments containing eggs and sperm. Theses segments have an eye spot which can detect light. The segments are then released simultaneously and make their way to the surface. Then they create a mucous soup made up of eggs and sperm. The synchronized timing of the spawn puts eggs and sperm into close proximity to each other, so they can fertilize and develop into larvae.
Role in Ecosystem
Palolo Worms are responsible both for contributing to the richness of American Samoa marine diversity and at the same time an important factor for their cultural cohesion. To Pacific Islanders consider alolo worms in the South Pacific are eaten boiled, fried or raw, or can be baked into palolo loaf with coconut milk and onions. They are often eaten on toast or crackers like caviar.
Platyhelminthes are flatworms and nematodes are round worms. Flatworms are flat because they do not have a body cavity and therefore the three cell layers are not separated. Flatworms have a two way gut with food entering the mouth and waste products leaving the same way because of the gut dead ends and there is no anus. Nematodes and annelids have a body cavity and are round instead of flat. Nematodes are not segmented unlike annelids.
Nematodes in the Park
Palolo Worm (Palola viridis) are nematodes. There are over 14 species of palolo worm, most of which are found in tropical waters, but their larvae disperse widely and the worms are found in most tropical and temperate oceans of the world. Palolo worms spend most of their life burrowing into coral. To reproduce they generate a tail made up of segments containing eggs and sperm. Theses segments have an eye spot which can detect light. The segments are then released simultaneously and make their way to the surface. Then they create a mucous soup made up of eggs and sperm. The synchronized timing of the spawn puts eggs and sperm into close proximity to each other, so they can fertilize and develop into larvae.
Role in Ecosystem
Palolo Worms are responsible both for contributing to the richness of American Samoa marine diversity and at the same time an important factor for their cultural cohesion. To Pacific Islanders consider alolo worms in the South Pacific are eaten boiled, fried or raw, or can be baked into palolo loaf with coconut milk and onions. They are often eaten on toast or crackers like caviar.
Annelida
What are Annelids?
Annelids are segmented worms.The basic annelid form consists of multiple segments, each of which has the same sets of organs and, in most polychaetes, a pair of parapodia (legs) that many species use for movement.
Annelids in the Park
Leech (Hirudinea) A leech can survive in many habitats even tropical ones such as American Samoa. leeches do not have bristles and the external segmentation of their bodies does not correspond with the internal segmentation of their organs like most annelids. Their bodies are much more solid as the spaces in their coelom are dense with connective tissues. They also have two suckers, one at each end. The smallest leeches grow no more than 5 mm, but some big species may get to be more than 25 cm long. Many leech species have one or more pairs of eyes visible on the top of their front end.
Role in Ecosystem
A leech's role in an ecosystem is to keep balance and so that all living creature species stay alive. Leeches are sometimes important members of aquatic food webs. They are mid-level consumers, eating smaller animals and in turn being eaten by larger predators. Leeches are used in some medical procedures to remove excess blood from body parts that have been reattached after injury. Also, chemicals that leeches use to prevent blood-clotting have proved to be valuable medicines.
Annelids are segmented worms.The basic annelid form consists of multiple segments, each of which has the same sets of organs and, in most polychaetes, a pair of parapodia (legs) that many species use for movement.
Annelids in the Park
Leech (Hirudinea) A leech can survive in many habitats even tropical ones such as American Samoa. leeches do not have bristles and the external segmentation of their bodies does not correspond with the internal segmentation of their organs like most annelids. Their bodies are much more solid as the spaces in their coelom are dense with connective tissues. They also have two suckers, one at each end. The smallest leeches grow no more than 5 mm, but some big species may get to be more than 25 cm long. Many leech species have one or more pairs of eyes visible on the top of their front end.
Role in Ecosystem
A leech's role in an ecosystem is to keep balance and so that all living creature species stay alive. Leeches are sometimes important members of aquatic food webs. They are mid-level consumers, eating smaller animals and in turn being eaten by larger predators. Leeches are used in some medical procedures to remove excess blood from body parts that have been reattached after injury. Also, chemicals that leeches use to prevent blood-clotting have proved to be valuable medicines.
Mollusca
What are Mollusks?
Mollusks are invertebrates. They are highly diverse, not only in size and in anatomical structure, but also in behavior and in habitat. The two most universal structures of a mollusk include the mantle with a cavity for breathing and excretion, and the structure of the nervous system. The nervous system of a mollusk is made up of several masses of fibrous nerve tissues.
Mollusks in the Park
Nautilus (Nautilidae) is a marine mollusk with a coiled, many chambered shell. They thrive in the surrounding waters of American Samoa. Nautilus are known as "living fossils" because it's ancestors date back to over 500 million years ago.
Role in Ecosystem
Their role in the ecosystem is an important recycler of plant and animal waste, essentially keeping water clean and healthy. They control the numbers of species such as hermit crabs and fish by preying on them.
Mollusks are invertebrates. They are highly diverse, not only in size and in anatomical structure, but also in behavior and in habitat. The two most universal structures of a mollusk include the mantle with a cavity for breathing and excretion, and the structure of the nervous system. The nervous system of a mollusk is made up of several masses of fibrous nerve tissues.
Mollusks in the Park
Nautilus (Nautilidae) is a marine mollusk with a coiled, many chambered shell. They thrive in the surrounding waters of American Samoa. Nautilus are known as "living fossils" because it's ancestors date back to over 500 million years ago.
Role in Ecosystem
Their role in the ecosystem is an important recycler of plant and animal waste, essentially keeping water clean and healthy. They control the numbers of species such as hermit crabs and fish by preying on them.
Crustacea
What are Crustaceans?
Crustaceans have a hard, external shell which protects their body. Crustaceans have a head and abdomen. The head has antennae which are part of their sensory system. The abdomen includes the heart, digestive system and reproductive system.The abdomen also has appendages, such as legs, for crawling and swimming. Many crustaceans also have claws that help with crawling and eating.
Crustaceans in the Park
Most crustaceans including the Samoan Coconut Crab (Burgis latro) live in both the oceans and land. It is the largest land living arthropod in the world. It can grow to up to 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) in length from leg to leg. They cannot swim, and will drown if immersed in water for long.
Role in Ecosystem
Their role in the ecosystem is managing the populations of the animals they prey on. They are scavengers and provide a food source for their predators.
Crustaceans have a hard, external shell which protects their body. Crustaceans have a head and abdomen. The head has antennae which are part of their sensory system. The abdomen includes the heart, digestive system and reproductive system.The abdomen also has appendages, such as legs, for crawling and swimming. Many crustaceans also have claws that help with crawling and eating.
Crustaceans in the Park
Most crustaceans including the Samoan Coconut Crab (Burgis latro) live in both the oceans and land. It is the largest land living arthropod in the world. It can grow to up to 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) in length from leg to leg. They cannot swim, and will drown if immersed in water for long.
Role in Ecosystem
Their role in the ecosystem is managing the populations of the animals they prey on. They are scavengers and provide a food source for their predators.
Arachnida
What are Arachnids?
Arachnids are joint-legged invertebrate animals in the subphylum Chelicerata. All arachnids have eight legs, but in some species the front pair has evolved to serve sensory function. In other species the front pair can grow large enough to appear as extra legs. Arachnids have two kinds of eyes, lateral and median ocelli.
Arachnids in the Park
Samoan Moss Spider (Patu marplesi) lives in the forests of the American Samoa. They are the smallest spider in the world measuring a mere 0.1 inch long in length and a leg span of 0.0179 inches. Spiders need all eight of their legs but if one is lost through several molts a new one can be generated. All spiders are both carnivorous and venomous but only a few are potientially dangerous to humans. Samoan Moss Spiders are extremely poisonous but are harmless to humans.
Role in Ecosystem
Like all spiders, the Samoan Moss Spider's role in the ecosystem is to control the numbers of the species of their prey. Other than that there is no other role in the ecosystem.
Arachnids are joint-legged invertebrate animals in the subphylum Chelicerata. All arachnids have eight legs, but in some species the front pair has evolved to serve sensory function. In other species the front pair can grow large enough to appear as extra legs. Arachnids have two kinds of eyes, lateral and median ocelli.
Arachnids in the Park
Samoan Moss Spider (Patu marplesi) lives in the forests of the American Samoa. They are the smallest spider in the world measuring a mere 0.1 inch long in length and a leg span of 0.0179 inches. Spiders need all eight of their legs but if one is lost through several molts a new one can be generated. All spiders are both carnivorous and venomous but only a few are potientially dangerous to humans. Samoan Moss Spiders are extremely poisonous but are harmless to humans.
Role in Ecosystem
Like all spiders, the Samoan Moss Spider's role in the ecosystem is to control the numbers of the species of their prey. Other than that there is no other role in the ecosystem.
Insecta
What are Insects?
Insects are invertebrates that have an exoskeleton made of the protein chitin, a three-part body, three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes and one pair of antennae. Insects are segmented into three parts. The head has the antennae, the compound eyes and the mouthparts. The thorax has the legs and wings. The abdomen has the anus and genetial organs.
Insects in the Park
Samoan Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio godeffroyi) can be found all over the islands of American Samoa. They have recently died out in Samoa but still thrive in the neighboring American Samoa.
Role in Ecosystem
Their role in the ecosystem is pollinating many plants. Butterflies play a big role in pollinating flowers that open during the day. Butterflies tend to favor big, colorful flowers that have a landing platform (labellum) and gather pollen on their long, thin legs as they sip nectar from a flower.
Insects are invertebrates that have an exoskeleton made of the protein chitin, a three-part body, three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes and one pair of antennae. Insects are segmented into three parts. The head has the antennae, the compound eyes and the mouthparts. The thorax has the legs and wings. The abdomen has the anus and genetial organs.
Insects in the Park
Samoan Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio godeffroyi) can be found all over the islands of American Samoa. They have recently died out in Samoa but still thrive in the neighboring American Samoa.
Role in Ecosystem
Their role in the ecosystem is pollinating many plants. Butterflies play a big role in pollinating flowers that open during the day. Butterflies tend to favor big, colorful flowers that have a landing platform (labellum) and gather pollen on their long, thin legs as they sip nectar from a flower.
Porifera
What is a Porifera?
Multicellular organisms whose bodies are full of pores and channels allowing water to circulate through them. They are more commonly called sponges. Sponges can reproduce asexually and sexually. Asexually through sponge buds that independently generate into a new organism. Sexually by larvae attaching to a substrate and growing into young sponges.
Porifera in the Park
Yellow Sponge (Aplysina fistularis) lives near the coral reefs of the surrounding waters of the American Samoan islands. It spreads over coral and rock formations in the reef environment. Despite its name, the yellow sponge is usually bright orange in color.
Role in Ecosystem
Their role in the ecosystem, like most sponges, is breeding and nursery areas for fish and invertebrates.
Multicellular organisms whose bodies are full of pores and channels allowing water to circulate through them. They are more commonly called sponges. Sponges can reproduce asexually and sexually. Asexually through sponge buds that independently generate into a new organism. Sexually by larvae attaching to a substrate and growing into young sponges.
Porifera in the Park
Yellow Sponge (Aplysina fistularis) lives near the coral reefs of the surrounding waters of the American Samoan islands. It spreads over coral and rock formations in the reef environment. Despite its name, the yellow sponge is usually bright orange in color.
Role in Ecosystem
Their role in the ecosystem, like most sponges, is breeding and nursery areas for fish and invertebrates.
Cnidaria
What is Cnidaria?
Cnidaria is a group of aquatic invertebrates. Body structure: a gastrovascular cavity with a single opening where food is ingested and waste is released. radially symmetrical and they have tentacles that encircle their mouth. These tentacles are the distinguishing feature of Cnidaria is cnidocytes, specialized cells that they use mainly for capturing prey.
Cnidaria in the Park
Thimble Jellyfish (Linuche unguiculata) live in the surrounding waters in which they drift through. They show radial symmetry and have eight gonads arranged in pairs. The gonads attach to the sixteen peripheral stomach pouches. The thimble-shaped umbrella has a width of 16 mm and a height ranging from 13 to 20 mm. They have eight tentacles.
Role in Ecosystem
They control populations of planktonic organisms like crustaceans and fish larvae. Some species of sea turtles and seabirds feed on jellyfish.
Cnidaria is a group of aquatic invertebrates. Body structure: a gastrovascular cavity with a single opening where food is ingested and waste is released. radially symmetrical and they have tentacles that encircle their mouth. These tentacles are the distinguishing feature of Cnidaria is cnidocytes, specialized cells that they use mainly for capturing prey.
Cnidaria in the Park
Thimble Jellyfish (Linuche unguiculata) live in the surrounding waters in which they drift through. They show radial symmetry and have eight gonads arranged in pairs. The gonads attach to the sixteen peripheral stomach pouches. The thimble-shaped umbrella has a width of 16 mm and a height ranging from 13 to 20 mm. They have eight tentacles.
Role in Ecosystem
They control populations of planktonic organisms like crustaceans and fish larvae. Some species of sea turtles and seabirds feed on jellyfish.
Echinodermata
What is Echinodermata?
Echinodermata is a taxonomic group which consists of marine invertebrates of radial symmetry. They have no head and have a water-vascular system.
Echinodermata in the Park
Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) live at the bottom of the oceans on coral reefs. They are almost completely covered in venomous spines that can be incredibly painful to humans if touched.
Role in Ecosystem
Their feeding activities control many species in the entire ecosystem. However, they are one of the most damaging species for coral reefs. They release portions of the stomachs onto the coral. Digestive juices then liquefy the coral. A single individual can wipe out a large area of coral this way.
Echinodermata is a taxonomic group which consists of marine invertebrates of radial symmetry. They have no head and have a water-vascular system.
Echinodermata in the Park
Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) live at the bottom of the oceans on coral reefs. They are almost completely covered in venomous spines that can be incredibly painful to humans if touched.
Role in Ecosystem
Their feeding activities control many species in the entire ecosystem. However, they are one of the most damaging species for coral reefs. They release portions of the stomachs onto the coral. Digestive juices then liquefy the coral. A single individual can wipe out a large area of coral this way.