SPLATS about invertebrates

SPLATS about invertebrates

For an explanation, see the main splats page

About invertebrates

Having a group called 'invertebrate' shows us an unnatural division of living things, as about all they have in common is the lack of a backbone or notochord.
In most cases, invertebrates are quite small, though there are exceptions to this rule like the giant squid, one of the largest organisms found on the planet.
Because the invertebrates are not a natural grouping in any sense, there are very few general comments or principles that can be stated about them.
Within the unnatural grouping that we call the invertebrates, there are many subgroups which are useful and make a great deal of sense for scientific work.
Earthworms and their relatives make a natural group of living things: they burrow in the soil, feed at the surface, have senses and are easy to culture.
Because the invertebrates are not a natural grouping and because most of them are small, they are sometimes given the alternative name of minibeasts.

This file is http://members.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis/scifun/, first created on February 18, 2009. Last recorded revision (well I get lazy and forget sometimes!) was on February 18, 2009.

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