Abstract

This present paper illustrates the various types of invertebrate animals found at the site of
Pashupati Area at Kathmandu, Nepal. The research papers shows the various
characteristics, advantages of the use of invertebrates as an experimental model as these
models provide importance evidence in the field of evolutionary research and at the same
time offer practical applications in the bio-medical and agronomy fields of research.

In this paper I explore the value of invertebrates at Pashupati Area. I initially examine
various ecological benefits provided by invertebrate organisms. I then explore the extent
of appreciation and understanding of these values among the Nepalese people. This
assessment was based on a filed study of Pashupati Area.

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Acknowledgement
I would like to express deepest appreciation to all those who provided the possibility to
complete this assignment on the topic ‘Report writing on Invertebrate Animal. I would
also like to thank the college administration for being supporting and guiding us
throughout. I, Palpasha Shahi, the student of Riviera International Academy, am
extremely grateful to our Department of Zoology for the confidence bestowed in me and
entrusting my report.

Furthermore, I would also like to acknowledge with much appreciation the crucial role of
our lecturer, Mr. Sujan Babu Ghimere HOD (Head of Department) of Zoology
Department, who gave the permission to use all required equipment and the necessary
materials to complete the task. Likewise, I would also like to thank all the teachers of
Zoology Department for their critical advice and guidance without which the report
would not have been possible. His involvement in the completion of the task is vital as he
provided us with the convenient direction for the project. I would also like to appreciate
the guidance given by other supervisor and much thanks to their comment and advices.

Finally, I would like to express my thankfulness to all of my friends, family and

administration, who have supported and encouraged me throughout the completion of the
project.

Palpasha Shahi

Riviera International Academy

Date: 9 February, 2024

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Table of Contents
Abstract......................................................................................................................................................1
Acknowledgement.....................................................................................................................................2
Introduction................................................................................................................................................4
General Background..................................................................................................................................4
Characteristics of Invertebrates.................................................................................................................5
Invertebrate classification..........................................................................................................................6
Phylum Arthropoda.............................................................................................................................6
Phylum Mollusca.................................................................................................................................6
Phylum Annelida..................................................................................................................................7
Phylum Coelenterata...........................................................................................................................7
Study Area.................................................................................................................................................8
Objectives..................................................................................................................................................9
Methodology..............................................................................................................................................9
Observation..............................................................................................................................................10
Ecological Values....................................................................................................................................15
Discussion and Conclusion......................................................................................................................16
Recommendation.....................................................................................................................................17
References:...............................................................................................................................................18

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Introduction

General Background
Invertebrates are animals with no backbone. 97% of the animals are invertebrates among the
animal species. Invertebrates exist about anywhere. These have been found in the driest of
deserts, high reaches of the atmosphere and canopies of wettest rainforests. They also exist in the
frozen Antarctic or under the deepest oceans.

Invertebrates are so many that it is almost impossible to count them all. There are so many
invertebrate animal species of different shapes and sizes that help us in many ways and are vital
to our survival. Invertebrates serve as food for humans; are key elements in food chains that
support birds, fish, and many other vertebrate species; and play important roles
in plant pollination. Despite providing important environmental services, invertebrates are
often ancillary in wildlife research and conservation, with priority given instead to studies that
focus on large vertebrates. In addition, several invertebrate groups (including many types of
insects and worms) are viewed solely as pests, and by the early 21st century the heavy use
of pesticides worldwide had caused substantial population declines among bees, wasps, and other
terrestrial insects

Types of Invertebrates

Terrestrial invertebrates involve these groups and many also have members that live in marine
environments and freshwater.

 Insects
 Spiders
 Worms
 Slaters
 Landhoppers
 Centipedes
 Millipedes

Freshwater and marine invertebrates involve the following groups and some of them also have
land-dwelling members.

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  Sea stars and sea urchins
 Anemones and corals
 Snails and slugs
 Sponges
 Bluebottles and jellies
 Crabs, prawns, crayfish & lobsters

Characteristics of Invertebrates

 All invertebrates do not have a spinal cord or vertebral column, instead, most of them
possess an exoskeleton that encompasses the entire body.

 Normally, these are tiny and don’t grow very large.

 Do not possess lungs since they respire through their skin.

 Since they cannot produce their own food, Invertebrates are heterotrophic.

 Reproduction occurs through fission.

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Invertebrate classification
Invertebrates involve all the animals that do not come under vertebrates group. There are mainly
four kinds of invertebrates as listed below by Phylum.

 Phylum Mollusca

 Phylum Annelida

 Phylum Arthropoda

 Phylum Coelenterata

Every group has its own characteristics and adaptations.

Phylum Arthropoda

Arthropoda are animals that have a segmented body. Their bodies are bilaterally symmetrical
with a strong exoskeleton made up of chitin. Arthropods are capable of adapting to different
environments quickly. Examples of Arthropods are Scorpions, Honey Bees, and Spiders.

Arthropoda is a vast phylum that encompasses about 80% of all living species in the world. They
have segmented bodies with jointed limbs and an open circulatory system with many hearts.
They have a thick exoskeleton made of chitin, a complex polymer, and some include gills for gas
exchange. They have a nervous system, an excretory system, and a primitive brain.

Phylum Mollusca

These animals have an unsegmented body, unlike arthropods. Mollusca skin consists of a mantle
that releases a shell. Their skin is soft and mostly found in seawater and fresh water. Examples of
Mollusca are Octopus, Snail, and Oyster.

The largest invertebrate ever: An artist’s render of a colossal squid battling a sperm whale.
Throughout history, there are just a handful of dead specimens found throughout the world and
they still remain elusive to this day.

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Phylum Annelida

The group of Annelids has many worms. Their bodies are segmented and consist of 3 layers and
hence are called triploblastic animals. Triploblastic refers to having 3 layers ectoderm,
mesoderm, and endoderm.

Examples of Annelida involve Earthworm, Sandworm, and Leech.

Phylum Coelenterata

The bodies of Coelenterates are radially symmetrical. These animals are diploblastic which
means that their bodies comprise 2 layers known as ectoderm and endoderm. Examples of
Coelenterates are Hydra, Jellyfish, and Coral.

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Study Area
The study was conducted at Pashupati Nath Temple Area situated at Kathmandu, Nepal on 3rd
February 2024. It is about 2.5km away from Tribubhuwan International Airport.

I studied about the availability and characteristics of invertebrate animals found at Pashupati
Area which I have prepared the detailed study of my findings.

Figure 1. Study location at Pashupati

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Objectives
The objectives of the study are as follows:

 To study the invertibrates of the Pashupati Area.

 To prepare the checklist of insect, pests and other invertebrates.
 To study about the importance of the invertebrate.

Methodology
The field study was conducted on 3rd February 2024. The different materials that I used during
my research was plastic hand gloves, pen, notebook and camera phone to capture the species
which I have discussed on the paper.

Also I used standard animal’s records to help me identify the invertebrate animals at site.

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Observation
During my field visit at Pashupati Area, I studied about the following animals which I will
discuss below. I got to see many invertebrate and their different species such as earthworms,
grasshopper and variety of butterflies were seen at the site. Some of the names of the invertebrate
studied during my visit are as follows.

S.No Phylum Name Scientific Name Common Name

1 Arthropoda Apis mellifera Honey Bee
2 Arthropoda Musca domestica Housefly
3 Arthropoda Periplaneta americana Cockroach
4 Arthropoda Bagheera kiplingi Spider
5 Annelida Lumbricus terrestris Earthworm
Table 1. Classification of Animal found at the Pashupati Site

A. Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

Honeybee is any of a group of insects in the family Apidae Arthropoda phylum that in a broad
sense includes all bees that make honey.

All honeybees are social insects and live together in nests or hives. The honeybee is remarkable
for the dancing movements it performs in the hive to communicate information to its fellow bees
about the location, distance, size, and quality of a
particular food source in the surrounding area.

Characteristics of Honeybee

 They live in colonies.

 They are great pollinator.
 Worker bees dance to communicate
 Worker bees defend their colonies by

stinging intruders
Figure 2 Honeybee
 Honey bees form winter clusters

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B. Housefly (Musca domestica)

Housefly is a common small fly occurring worldwide in and around human habitation. Its eggs
are laid in decaying material, and the fly can be a health hazard due to its contamination of food.
The house fly is 5 to 7 mm long, with the female usually larger than the male. Its head has
reddish-eyes and sponging mouthparts.

The flies are inactive at night, with ceilings, beams and overhead wires within buildings, trees,
and shrubs, various kinds of outdoor wires, and grasses reported as overnight resting sites.

The house fly has a complete metamorphosis with distinct egg, larva or maggot, pupal and adult
stages. The house fly over-winters in either the larval or pupal stage under manure piles or in
other protected locations. Adults usually live 15 to 25 days.

Adults suck liquids containing sweet or decaying substances. Larvae feed on moist food rich in
organic matter. Although they are attracted to a variety of food material, house flies have
mouthparts which allow them to ingest only liquid materials. Solid materials are liquified by
means of regurgitated saliva.

More than 100 pathogens associated with the house fly may
cause disease in humans and animals, including
typhoid, cholera, bacillary dysentery, tuberculosis, anthrax
ophthalmia and infantile diarrhea, as well as parasitic
worms. Pathogenic organisms are picked up by flies from
garbage, sewage and other sources of filth, and then
transferred on their mouthparts, through their vomitus, feces

and contaminated external body parts to human and animal

Figure 3 Housefly
food.
The most important damage related with this insect is the annoyance and the indirect damage
produced by the potential transmission of more than 100 pathogens associated with this fly.

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C. Cockroach ( Periplaneta americana )

It is a type of insect of Arthropoda phylum that are among the

most primitive living winged insects, appearing today much like
they do in fossils that are more than 320 million years old. The
cockroach is characterized by a flattened oval body, long
threadlike antennae, and a shining black or brown leathery
integument. The head is bent downward, and the mouthparts point
backward instead of forward or downward as is the case in most
other insects. Male cockroaches usually have two pairs of wings,
Figure 4. Cockroach
whereas females, in some species, are wingless or have vestigial
wings.
The cockroach prefers a warm, humid, dark environment and is usually found in tropical or other
mild climates. Only a few species have become pests. The insect damages more material than it
consumes and emits a disagreeable odour. The diet of the roach, which includes
both plant and animal products, ranges from food, paper, clothing, and books to dead insects,
especially bedbugs. Insecticides are used in roach control.

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D. Spider (Bagheera kiplingi)

Spiders are invertebrates that belong to the class Arachnida, which also includes scorpions,
solifugae, ticks and mites. However, the largest order under this class is Araneae – the order to
which the spider belongs to.

With the exception of Bagheera kiplingi, all other species of spiders are predators, mostly
preying upon insects. However, some larger species of spiders – such as the Goliath Birdeater
are also known to prey on animals such as small birds, mice, frogs and even lizards.

Almost all spiders possess venom glands that inject venom into their prey through their fangs.
With a handful of exceptions, spiders’ venom is generally harmless for humans. Interestingly,
spider venom is a candidate for research – especially as an eco-friendly alternative to pesticides.
Scientists are also researching the use of spider
silk, which is much stronger and more resilient
than synthetic materials.

Since spiders are essentially arthropods, their

body shows segmentation and is covered with
cuticles which are made of chitin. The body is
classified into two segments called tagmata –
the first part forms the cephalothorax while the
second half forms the abdomen. Spiders also

have fangs that are capable of folding away

Figure 5. Spider
when not in use. The venom is delivered to its
prey through these fangs. More interestingly, spiders do not have jaws and are not capable of
chewing – hence, they have to rely on their venom to liquify the insides of their prey.

Scientific Names of Spiders

 Grass Cross Spider – Argiope catenulata

 Western Black Widow Spider – Latrodectus hesperus

 Mexican Pink Tarantula – Brachypelma klaas

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E. Earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris)

Earthworm, any one of more than 1,800 species of terrestrial worms of the
class Oligochaeta (phylum Annelida)—in particular, members of the genus Lumbricus.

Members of one Australian species can grow as long as 3.3 metres (about 11 feet). L.
terrestris grows to about 25 centimetres (10 inches). This species is reddish brown, but some
earthworms (e.g., Allolobophora chlorotica, native to Great Britain) are green. The reddish tinge
of L. terrestris results from the presence of the pigment hemoglobin in its blood.

Their food consists of decaying plants and other organisms; as they eat, however, earthworms
also ingest large amounts of soil, sand, and tiny pebbles. It has been estimated that an earthworm
ingests and discards its own weight in food and soil every day.

Earthworms provide food for a large variety of birds and other animals. Indirectly they provide
food for humans by assisting plant growth. Earthworms aerate the soil, promote drainage, and
draw organic material into their burrow. This last service accelerates the decomposition of
organic matter and produces more nutritive materials for growing plants. Earthworms also serve
as fish bait; hence, the name angleworm.

Figure 6. Earthworm

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Ecological Values
Insects and other invertebrates—butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, worms, bees, mussels, and crabs
are but a few—make up 94% of the world’s animal species. They bring beauty into our lives,
ensure we have food on our plates, and are at the heart of a healthy environment. The services
they perform—pollinating, dispersing seeds, becoming food for wildlife, recycling nutrients,
cleaning water, building reefs—are critical to life on our planet. Without them whole ecosystems
would collapse. Yet invertebrates are often imperiled by human activities.

Invertebrates are hugely diverse, constituting the vast majority of species on the Earth and with a
large proportion yet to be identified. They are crucial components of food webs and fulfil many
ecosystems services, such as pollination, decomposition and nutrient release.

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Discussion and Conclusion

The overall impression of the field visit of Pashupati Area for the study of invertebrate
was really productive. Though it was difficult to catch and collect the pictures of them,
but my hard work and help from my family members, teachers and friends made it
possible. From my field study, I found out that Invertebrates form a key element in the
food chains. They serve as food for human beings. Invertebrates can support birds, fish,
and many other species of Vertebrates.

Invertebrates are often given less focus as compared to Vertebrates. They are often
considered mere pests. With heavy use of pesticides in the 21st century all over the
world, there has been a large decrease in the population of Invertebrates like bees, wasps,
and other terrestrial insects. It was in the 20th century when Invertebrate zoology became
popular in the fields of natural sciences, with prominent discoveries in different fields of
medicines and genetics. Invertebrates are often used by scientists in aquatic bio-
monitoring to evaluate the different effects of water pollution and climate change.

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Recommendation
After the completion of my research at Pashupati Area, I would like to consider some points as
my recommendations for the protection of the invertebrates found there.

 Reduce pesticide inputs where possible.

 The area should be cleaned.

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References:
 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023, December 28).

Honeybee | Characteristics, habitat, life cycle, & facts. Encyclopedia

Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/animal/honeybee#ref314824

 “House Fly.” Kznhealth.gov.za, 2024,

www.kznhealth.gov.za/environ/vector/housefly.htm#:~:text=Adult%3A%20The%20house%20fl

y%20is. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.

 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023, December 28). Honeybee |

Characteristics, habitat, life cycle, & facts. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/animal/honeybee#ref314824

 Admin. (2022, August 23). Scientific Name of Spider & Other

Taxonomic Information. BYJUS. https://byjus.com/biology/scientific-name-

of-spider/

 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2024, January 15). Earthworm | Annelid,

Burrowing & Soil Fertility. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/animal/earthworm

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