1. Invertebrates in the St. Johns River
After completing the entry slip: Ask students:
-If they have heard of the river that flows through the city of Jacksonville?
-If they have seen it, what are some of the animals that they have noticed?
-What does it mean when you hear the terms: invertebrate, vertebrate?
-Can you give examples of animals with backbones and those without?

2. Animals
Blue Crab
Has an exoskeleton, which they periodically have to shed (molt) so they can continue to grow.
Their body is divided into three sections – the head, thorax and abdomen.
The head and thorax are fused together and covered by the carapace.
This is the first example of a invertebrate.

3. Animals Jellyfish Have stinging cells Free-moving, floating organisms
Example invertebrate.

4. Animals Sea Cucumber Able to regenerate certain parts of their anatomy
Have a skeleton under the surface
Typically scavengers
Example invertebrate.

5. Animals Ribbon Worm Capture prey at their head
Can be up to 30 meters long
Example invertebrate.

6. Animals
Brittle Star
Have arms
Example invertebrate.

7. Animals Largemouth Bass Has a backbone Uses gills to access oxygen
Carnivores
Example of a vertebrate. As a carnivore, it eats other animals.

8. Animals Catfish Has a backbone Uses gills to access oxygen
Feed on insects and fish
Example of a vertebrate. It eats other animals.

9. References
Pinto, G., Bielmyer-Fraser, G.K., Goldberg, N., Ouellette, A., Le, A., Pyati, R., Zoellner, B., Closmann, C. (2018/19) State of the River Report for the Lower St. Johns River Basin, Florida: Water Quality, Fisheries, Aquatic Life, & Contaminants (LSJR). Prepared for the City of Jacksonville, Environmental Protection Board.