Invertebrates

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Graptolites
© 2003 Otto S. Zapecza

Tullimonstrum gregarium
© 2003 Gary Andrashko, Illinois State Museum

Flexicalymene meeki
© 1998 Dr. Richard Paselk, Humboldt State University Natural History Museum

What are Invertebrates? Invertebrates are multicellular animals without backbones. This very large group makes up 95% of living animal species, including such familiar organisms as insects, crabs, clams, and earthworms, as well as less familiar trilobites, brachiopods, and crinoids. Invertebrates dominate habitats as diverse as the deep sea, tide pools, coral reefs, rocks on stream bottoms, and soils. Although some invertebrates fossilize better than others, this group has a long fossil record, extending back to the Precambrian.

First known fossil occurrence: Precambrian.

Last known fossil occurrence: Quaternary. This group has living relatives.

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