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Nematodes

One kind of Nematode is a Ring Nematode. Ring Nematodes feed on plants and are slightly longer than the average Nematode. They have coarse ridges around the body, and move by muscle contractions similar to earthworms, so they move slower. They haven’t been proven to cause major losses of peppermint, which is their preferred plant, but they have been linked to peach shortages in the trees they infest. Another kind of Nematode is the Lesion Nematode. They attack the roots of plants, which get brown spots and restrict the amount of water and nutrients that a plant can get. This cause the plant to yellow and die. Lesion Nematodes attack a root by choosing a cell, breaking its surface, and injecting its saliva into the cell and then eats the cell contents. Lesion Nematodes work fast and can be very harmful to plants.

Annelida

Annelids, or earthworms, are much more developed than roundworms and flatworms. They are segmented, and can live in freshwater, saltwater, and soil. There are around 2700 species and are food for many kinds of birds and animals. Earthworms have bilateral symmetry, and are shades of brown to blend with the soil and surroundings. Earthworms are very important to man. They serve as fishing bait, and aid in planting. They loosen the soil and provide nutrients in their waste they help plants grow.

Arthropods Arthropods include the most species of animals, are by far the most successful. Insects, crustaceans, and arachnids are all part of the phylum Arthropoda. They are very common in saltwater, freshwater, and on land, and about 80% of all animals living today are arthropods. They have a segmented body, jointed appendages, an exoskeleton made of chitin, and antennae to sense. One kind of arthropod is the spider, which is an arachnid. They have 4 pairs of legs and eight eyes. They hear by sensing vibrations of the tiny hairs on their legs. They have a head, and a large abdomen. They molt, which means they shed their exoskeleton to grow. Most spin webs with a special silk to catch insects for food. They come in many different colors, sizes, and live in many different places. Some are poisonous, and can be deadly to man. Another kind of arthropod is the lobster, which is a crustacean. Lobsters live on sea floors and swim backwards. They have a head and thorax, and then an abdomen. They have four pairs of legs and many have a pair of large claws to trap food and move. They have a pair of antennae and complex eyes.

Amphibians

Amphibians are vertebrates that live part of their life in water and part on land, and undergo metamorphosis. As young, they are tadpoles in the water, and live on land as adults. As adults, amphibians must have moist skin for gas exchange. Because of this, they often hide in the summer, called estivation, and they burrow in the mud and hibernate in the winter. Amphibians are cold blooded, and can be very colorful. One kind of amphibian is the salamander. Salamanders are one of the oldest amphibians, with about 350 different species. They have four walking legs, all similar in size, and a long tail. They use their tongue to trap food and sense, and come in many colors to deter predators. Some produce a highly toxic chemical from their skin, and is actually one of the most poisonous substances known. Another kind of amphibian is the frog. Frogs have four legs, but their hind legs are much larger and stronger than their front. They use their powerful hind legs to jump. They have very week teeth, however, and use their sticky tongue for feeding. They mostly eat bugs and other insects. They have a very developed sense of hearing, and can detect predators with eyes that project out from the head. They also have a great sense of smell. Frogs can be colorful and poisonous.

Reptiles

Reptiles are cold blooded vertebrates with scaly skin. They breathe with lungs, although many live in water. They lay eggs after internal fertilization and have bilateral symmetry. One kind of reptile is the snake. Snakes shed their skin, or molt, during their growth process. They don’t have legs or limbs to move. Instead, they have very strong muscles that contract and expand and allow the snake to move. They have very large mouths and sharp teeth that are not used for chewing, but to hold on to prey. Snakes often eat animals that are larger than they are! Some snakes eat their prey live, and some, such as the boa constrictor, smother their prey first. Most lay eggs. Another kind of reptile is the chameleon. They are lizards and have four feet and a tail, unlike snakes. They usually live in tropical climates. One thing that makes a chameleon unique is that it can change color to blend in with the background in which it is on. This has proven to be a very good defense against predators.

Birds

Birds are also vertebrates, however, they are different in that they fly. They are not covered in scales or smooth moist skin, but by feathers. They have two feet and two wings. They have four kinds of feathers; down feathers for warmth, filoplumes, contour feathers for coloring, and quill feathers to help with flying. Birds are believed to have evolved from dinosaurs and reptiles. They are very lightweight and streamlined for flying. Birds lay eggs and many raise families in nests, made of twigs and other materials. One kind of bird is the duck. Ducks have a flat beak and a long neck that is perpendicular to the abdomen. They spend most of their time in ponds or other bodies of water because they feed on fish. They have webbed feet to aid in swimming. Another kind of bird is the owl. They have a large abdomen and head that are seemingly not separate. Owls are mainly nocturnal and have a very good sense of sight. However, they cannot move their eyes individually, they have to move their entire head. Owls have clawed feet and eat small rodents and animals.

Mammals

Mammals are another member of the chordate phylum in that they have backbones. The three main characteristics of mammals is that they have hair on their bodies, they nurse their young, and have live birth (They don’t lay eggs). Most mammals have four limbs, an abdomen, and a head. They are warm blooded. One kind of mammal is the Koala. Koalas give birth to their young early in their development and then they complete development in pouches in the mother. This is near the mammary glands so the young can nurse. Koalas mainly live in trees and have claws to help grip trees. Another kind of mammal is the wolf. Wolves walk on four legs and are relatives of the common domestic dog. They have narrow chests and strong back legs that are great for long periods of movement. Their paws have pads that make them tough, and are slightly webbed for moving through snow, as many wolves live in cold climate. They have large feet which allows them to distribute weight in a comfortable way, and they have a very keen sense of smell and hearing. They also have a thick coat for warmth, and are usually shades of gray and brown.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf#Features_and_adaptations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthropod http://www.backyardnature.net/2arthrop.htm