Shell Classification Lab 2012

Shell Classification Lab 2012

• I. TITLE: Shell classification lab • II. PURPOSE : to classify and prepare a “key”

that allows for identification of various objects based upon observable properties.

• III.PROCEDURE : rtb ..Obtain a chart of shells and prepare a key to identify the shells

Background info • The phylum mollusca (commonly called mollusks or molluscs) is made up of

invertebrate animals - or animals without a backbone.

The gastropods are mollusks with a shell. They are snails or slugs and usually move about, in their protective shells, using a strong "foot". They have mantles that cover at least part of the shell and rub on it which makes it smooth.

•Univalves are the ones who make shells all in one piece - like the conch, whelk and auger.

•Bivalves have shells that are hinged, or in two sections - like the Turkey Wing (Arca zebra) shell in this picture.

Whelk

• the common lightning whelk has it's opening on the left side and is therefore called a "left-handed" shell. (Hold the shell upright by it's pointed bottom)

• See it compared to the opening of a crown conch (on the left in the photo) and you can see the difference between the two.

• The Jujonia (Scaphella junonia) is a large shell with very distinctive brown spots.

• The Chambered Nautilus is a cephalopod (meaning it's feet are attached to it's head)

• is related to the octopus and squid. • It is the only cephalopod that lives inside a shell for protection.•

The nautilus lives in a chambered shell (you might have guessed this!) but lives only in the outermost chamber. As it outgrows a chamber it moves into a new, larger one.Adults can be 8 inches or more in length, sometimes up to 11 inches! Due to high demand for the beautiful shells, the nautilus is becoming endangered in some areas.

• These bivalves, the Turkey Wing (Arca zebra) are small but unmistakable shells with their longish shape.

• They look like angel wings with brown stripes.

Shown here with a coquina shell (Donax variabilis) which was used as a building material in Florida

• Jingle shells are small, translucent, shells. They are practically flat and it's possible to wonder if they are a shell or something else.

Actually the jingle shell is a clamshell. They are generally 1 or 2 inches in width and come in various colors such as black, yellow, white and orange.

They are almost always a single half - with no connected parts - when found on shore and the reason is most likely that they attach themselves to a solid object in the ocean and the top breaks off and washes on shore once the animal dies.

• The Olive Shell Family • Because of it's tight coil, it's easy to identify• Can be gray, tan, and even yellow gold• this glossy, tightly coiled shell.

The Auger is a small shell- only a couple of inches long.

Hermit crabs take over shells once they are empty

• This large murex is part of my collection and is about 5 inches long.

The Murex can have various shapes and the Cabrit's Murex has a long "tail" with spikes all the way down.

• They are hard to find in good condition because they are fragile and the surf usually destroys the spikes

Shell Types – must be univalve or bivalve

• 1. whelk • 2. jujonia • 3. Nautulis • 4. turkey Wing • 5. Jingle Shells • 6. Olive Shell• 7. Auger • 8. Murex• 9. Pen Shells • 10. Worm Shell • 11. Sea Urchin • 12. Starfish • 13. Sand Dollar

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• IV: DATA

# OBJECT NAME

length (cm)

Color Flexible or inflexible

Shape ( round,square,irregular, etc)

Use the ruler above to measure objects

Go 20 objects deep

• V. GRAPH : none• VI. Q’s: prepare a “key” for identifying the

objects in the tray(s) assigned to you. The key should proceed from vague and broad to specific –the last bubble , should be the name of the object.

• VII. Conclusion :• VIII. SOE :

Put your key in the Questions Section • There is no graph in this lab

MISC OBJECTS

Between 15-20 cmi

Between 10 -15 cm

Between 5-10 cm

LESS THAN 5

CM

BLACK ,PURPLE

RED,BLUE, GREEN WHITE,GREY

length

This chart is incomplete ---- and is intended to serve as an illustration for you to start ---- you need to include all 4 variables from your data table