Invertebrate Phyla: Platyhelminthes and Lophophorates

Invertebrate Phyla: Platyhelminthes and Lophophorates

Overview and Recap

  • Continuing the Journey: This lecture continues the exploration of invertebrate phyla.

  • Previously Covered Phyla:

    • Protists (first group covered, though not an invertebrate phylum in the same sense as the others).

    • Porifera (sponges).

    • Cnidaria (jellies, anemones, corals).

    • Ctenophora (comb jellies).

  • Today's Focus: We will cover two new phyla: Platyhelminthes (flatworms) and Lophophorates. These groups are also integral to the accompanying lab session, making for complementary learning.

Lecture Outline and Introduction

  • Opening Quote: The lecture begins with a quote from the heavy metal band Bay Laurel's song "Worms and Blood": "I feel them crawling under my skin. I'm a home for the worms inside." This sets a thematic tone, particularly for the parasitic flatworms.

  • Key Transitions in Evolution: We will use flatworms as a