M.

Tayyab Saleem

251683827

BIOL 105 B

Saba Butt

Lab Work: Museum Report

The FCCU Natural History Museum houses an extensive collection of preserved animal
specimens that teach students about the diversity and habitats of the animal kingdom. Most of
the specimens are extinct and not something that a human would typically come into contact
with. As part of my program, I had the opportunity to visit there and view the vast collection,
which improved my knowledge of the two main categories of animals—vertebrates and
invertebrates—as well as their evolutionary background. This report seeks to give a summary of
my experience and recognizes the value of learning about the animal kingdom in the context of
biology.

I was enthralled by the museum's extensive collection of fossils and preserved animals as soon
as I walked in. Each exhibit has clear displays, thorough explanations, and a tour guide on hand
to ensure that visitors have a vibrant experience. As fascinating as it appeared, seeing some
animals for the first time was a little disgusting. The one that surprised me was the largest
elephant skeleton.

The journey started with the invertebrates, which are animals that have no bones at all or no
backbone at birth. They are essential to our ecosystem. We began by looking at several
specimens, such as Euplectella, also called Venus's flower basket sponge, which is a basic
invertebrate that lives in aquatic environments and has a vase-like body. It is found in the sea at
depths surpassing 500 meters and is a member of the Phylum Porifera.

Next, we looked at a jellyfish that belonged to the Phylum Cnidaria and had a bell-shaped body.
It encompasses diploblastic organisms with an interior cavity and radial symmetry. The jellyfish
employs cnidocytes, which sting cells to capture prey and protect themselves, and a single
cavity for the digestion and excretion of their meal.
We also looked at Ascaris, a member of the Phylum Platyhelminthes, or flatworms, which have
an unsegmented cylindrical body with bilateral symmetry that facilitates locomotion.

Next, we looked at the internal parasites' bodies: tape worms and liver flukes. The tapeworm
had a segmented body with both male and female reproductive organs in each segment,
whereas the liver fluke had a flat, leaf-shaped body. They are members of the Nematoda
Phylum.
Then, we noticed an earthworm that was a member of the Phylum Annelida. These were
bilaterally symmetrical, segmented, and ringed worms that aid in the breakdown of organic
debris and the maintenance of a healthy ecology.
 We saw a Dentalium, sometimes called a tusk shell, belonging to the Phylum Mollusca. These
animals have soft bodies that are frequently protected by a hard coat composed of calcium
carbonate. The dentalium is a soft body that burrows itself into the sand or mud, protected by a
tubular shell.

Then, we examined a specimen of a crab, which is a member of the Phylum Arthropoda, which
is further divided into five subphylums: Hexapoda (insects), Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea,
and Trilobita (dead trilobites). These animals are known to have hard exoskeletons and joint
appendages. The crab is a member of the subphylum crustaceans, which are classified as having
segmented bodies and an exoskeleton composed of calcium carbonate and chitin. Its 10 legs
conceal gills behind the carapace and a tiny mouth beneath their bodies.

Next, we noticed a Sun Star, which had thirteen short, blunt rays pointing outward in addition
to tiny spines and tube feet for ascent assistance. It was a member of the Echinodermata
Phylum.

with examined every invertebrate, we proceeded to the vertebrate portion, which includes
creatures with an internal skeleton. This group includes members of the Phylum Chordata, as
well as those with a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a postanal tail. It is
categorized into six classes. We began with a skink specimen from Class Reptilia, which had four
legs and glossy scales.

Then, we noticed a preserved toad that belongs to the class of amphibia, which is characterized
by breathing mostly via its skin, acting as a food source, and assisting in the nitrogen cycle and
insect population management. The toad had thick, stubby legs and rough, dry skin. Then, we
noticed a preserved toad that belongs to the class of amphibia, which is characterized by
breathing mostly via its skin, acting as a food source, and assisting in the nitrogen cycle and
insect population management. The toad had thick, stubby legs and rough, dry skin..
Additionally, we observed a few species from the Class species. Their bodies are streamlined
and equipped with fins to aid in swimming, and they have gills for breathing. They can
procreate both internally and externally through fertilization.
Next, we looked at a few members of the Class Aves, which is made up of birds with hollow
bones that deposit eggs with hard shells that develop indirectly. The preserved Tony Eagle
attracted my attention because it had a strong beak for hunting and was covered in feathers..

Finally, we were able to view many examples of the Class Mammalia, which includes creatures
with four chambered hearts and mammary glands. A preserved goat, bat, deer, and other
animals were among the exhibits we viewed, but the most remarkable was the elephant
skeleton, which startled everyone with its huge tusks.

All in all, the FCCU museum proved to be a useful resource for research and teaching, and it
improved my understanding of biodiversity, conservation, and evolution over time.