Lesson 1: Abalone Anatomy

What kind of animal is an abalone? What kinds of adaptations do abalone have that help them survive?

Recommended for: ages 10+ Materials:

Estimated Time: 30 minutes

Learning Objective: Students will identify different anatomical features of the red abalone and assess how they help the abalone survive.

Key Vocabulary: anatomy radula shell epipodium respiratory pore epipodial tentacle eye mantle cephalic tentacle foot

Background Information: The red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) is a marine snail found off the coast of California. They are the largest species of abalone, measuring up to 12” in length, and are named after the brick red color of their thick shells. In Steps: this lesson, students will learn basic anatomy of an abalone and how their bodies help them survive and thrive in the kelp forest.

Red abalone are members of Class Gastropoda, the group of animals that includes snails and slugs. They have a relatively flat, spiraled red shell

made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with a row of respiratory pores along the edge. These pores are formed continuously throughout the animal’s life as it grows, with the older holes being filled in so that only 3 or 4 are open at a time. The pores assist in respiration, waste excretion, and reproduction. The material for the shell is created by a thin organ called the mantle. As the abalone grows, the mantle secretes minerals to increase the shell’s diameter and thickness. This hard shell protects the abalone from predators, like sea otters and sea stars. The inside of the shell is made of iridescent nacre.

Beneath the hard shell, abalone have a large muscular foot. The frilly epipodium along the foot’s edge has sensory tentacles. Abalone use their foot and epipodial tentacles to sense their surroundings, crawl around the kelp forest, and cling to rocks. As juveniles, they use their radula to scrape algae off rocks. As adults, red abalone feed on drift kelp (kelp that has become disconnected from its holdfast and floats throughout the kelp forest). Abalone Anatomy 1 Materials: Slideshow Images Abalone Anatomy Worksheet & Vocabulary Activity

Steps: 1. What do you think of when you hear the name abalone? Take a look at the photo above. Can you guess what kind of animal an abalone is?

2. The red abalone is a species of snail found in the ocean. Snails are members of the Class Gastropoda and are related to slugs. What kinds of features do you think gastropods share? Use the slideshow to compare abalone with other gastropods.

3. As you view the slideshow, take a look at the red abalone’s major anatomical features. How do you think each body part helps theabalone survive in its habitat?

4. Use the images and background information provided to help you complete the vocabulary matching activity and anatomy worksheet. Check your answers on the last page.

Global Museum 2 Class Gastropoda

Class Gastropoda is the group of animals that includes snails and slugs. All gastropods have an organ called the mantle, which many use to build protective shells, and a muscular foot to help them move.

Red Abalone

Abalone are a type of marine snail. The red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) is the largest species of abalone in the world – up to 12” in length!

Habitat

Red abalone can be found in kelp forests along the coast of California.

Can you find each numbered body part 3 in the photo? 1 1. Eye 6 2. Shell 3. Epipodial Tentacle 4. Respiratory Pore 5. Cephalic Tentacle 6. Epipodium

Close-Up

Do you see the frilly epipodium and sensory tentacles? What do you think the abalone uses them for?

Upside Down

A scientist has turned this red abalone over. Do you see the rock the abalone is holding with its foot?

Extension:

Label the different parts of the abalone using the terms below & match each term to its definition by connecting them with a line.

1. Eye A. This hard covering protects the abalone from predators

2. Cephalic Tentacle B. You can find this frilly tissue along the outside of the abalone’s foot

3. Mantle C. This "tongue" is comprised of many small teeth

4. Foot D. This thin layer of tissue continually secretes calcium carbonate to create the shell, making it larger and thicker over the course of the abalone’s life 5. Epipodial Tentacles E. Abalone use these to sense their surroundings 6. Respiratory Pore F. Abalone use this large muscle to cling to rocks and crawl around 7. Shell G. This sensory organ is found on the abalone’s head 8. Epipodium H. This organ is used to sense light 9. Radula I. Abalone use this opening to breathe, eliminate waste, and reproduce

Abalone Anatomy 5 References & ― “Meet the abalone” from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Further Learning: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/ abalone

― “Red Abalone” from the Aquarium of the Pacific http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/red_ abalone

― “Abalone” by Genny Anderson from the Santa Barbara City College https://www.marinebio.net/marinescience/06future/abindex.htm

― Image Attributions: 1: Gina Caprari, via The Global Museum 2: Sheri Amsel, via exploringnature.org 3-7: Various photographers, via iNaturalist.org 8-9: Abalone art by Jessica Punzalan, via The Global Museum

Extension: Compare and contrast the abalone with other animals/gastropods in your area. For instance, how do they differ from garden snails? How are they similar to slugs?

Global Museum 6 Notes: Reflect on what you've learned. What is your favorite thing you learned? What are you still curious about? Add your notes and observations about this lesson and activity here.

Abalone Anatomy 7 Abalone Anatomy Worksheet - ANSWERS

Radula

Shell

Cephalic Tentacle

Eye

Respiratory Pore

Epipodium Mantle

Foot Epipodial Tentacles

Label the different parts of the abalone using the terms below & match each term to its definition by connecting them with a line.

1. Eye A. This hard covering protects the abalone from predators

2. Cephalic Tentacle B. You can find this frilly tissue along the outside of the abalone’s foot

3. Mantle C. This "tongue" is comprised of many small teeth

Global Museum 8