1. Plankton Group Presentation Guidelines
Classification: Scientific and Common Nam (include phylum, subphylum, order, and species)
Distribution- where are they found?
Larvae– plankton stage found in lab
Metamorphosis- Transformation if a Meroplankton
Life cycle– stages of growth (from conception to adulthood)
Growth and Reproduction: Asexual? Sexual? Or both?
Anatomy– emphasis on a cool adaptation
Ecological role– purpose in life
References/work cited

2. My Secret Life as a Crab 
Student Names:
Marine Science
Period #

3. Classification  Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Order: Decapoda
Species: C. sapidus
(include scientific and common name):
My name is Callinectes sapidus But people call me: Chesapeake blue crab

4. Distribution My environment:
I am native to the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico although I am introduced Internationally
But I am migrating to other areas due to climate change were people have reported me….

5. I was found in Mrs. Cartamil’s LAB
Include pictures from lab and internet

6. Metamorphosis
When the eggs hatch into zoea larvae, they drift away in the ocean currents as plankton. As the juvenile crab grows in size, it goes through a series of molts, each larval stage changing form and function as it grows in a process called metamorphosis.
At each molt more segments are added to the end (posterior), and the feathered limbs are replaced by the clawed limbs. The megalops stage more closely resembles the adult decapod crab.

7. My Life Cycle
Blue crab life span ~ 4 years

8. Growth https://vimeo.com/37438364 Exoskeleton made of chitin
20 molts to sexually mature adult
(12-18 months)
When growing, their bodies increases
Pressure which cracks open their exo-
Skeleton. Underneath, they have a new
Soft skeleton that is grown. Leaving the
Crab vulnerable from predators. It will
Harden over time. This process is known
As molting.
THEY MOLT JUST LIKE INSECTS!!!!

9. My Anatomy

10. Reproduction Females release a chemical to attract males
Blue crab females only reproduce once
When a male and female crab 
mate, many female decapod
crabs can store the male
sperm until her eggs are ready to
be released. When the eggs are
released, the stored sperm flows
over them and they become fertilised.
The female crabholds the fertilised
eggs in a big spongy mass between
its abdominal flap and the body.

11. Ecological Role Keep sea clean
They’re scavengers that feed on dead matter– so if there’s no scavengers like me? How will feed on dead organisms? And imagine there being harmful bacteria that cause diseases!!! SCARY thought isn’t it? Eat plankton too.
Etc…

12. Works Cited References https://www.britannica.com/animal/crab