Jim A. Marxmiller, Mountain View Academy, Mountain View, CA
LIMPET IDENTIFICATION LAB
Appropriate for grades 9-12.
OVERVIEW: One of the great goals of biologists through the ages
has been to collect and identify as many new animals as possible.
The oceans of the world are abundant with life forms different
from terrestrial life. The intertidal areas, where land and ocean
meet, are even more richly inhabited with life. There are many
varieties of limpets found in the intertidal areas, suitable for
this laboratory.
PURPOSE: Students of today need to experience the "awe" of new
life forms and to develop distinguishing or key characteristics to
aid in their study of life. Limpets provide an unusual example
with the variation needed to develop identification
characteristics in similar animals.
OBJECTIVES: The students will be able to identify key
characteristics for a variety of limpets.
ACTIVITIES: Directions:
1. Distribute a set of limpets or pictures of limpets and the
Limpet Identification Lab form to each lab group of two to
four students. Use five to ten different specimens depending
on the amount of time available.
2. To the entire class, give the name and one or two key charac-
teristics for each limpet. If your class can handle a high
level of frustration, you may try giving only the names and
allow the students to develop the key characteristics on their own.
3. Allow the lab groups to study the specimens and discover
other characteristics of identification on their own. Write
these down on the appropriate spots - be sure to number all
the same limpets with the same number for each group.
4. Set up competition between the groups and/or individuals.
Pace the competition to achieve complete identification for
all the limpets by all the students.
5. After successful identification has been achieved, discuss
the key identification characteristics that each group wrote
down. As a group, determine a small list of key
characteristics for each limpet.
6. Give a test to individual students by describing each limpet
instead of showing it to the class. Scores and enthusiasm
should be quite high!
RESOURCES/MATERIALS NEEDED: Many of the larger biological supply
companies can supply the actual limpet specimens. Pictures can be
copied from books and used if actual specimens are not available.
If you draw or know of an artist you may be able to make your own
diagrams.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: Just like meeting a new person, the
experience of finding a new living organism for the first is
usually a joy. Determining how it differs and how similar it is
to other life forms is rewarding. Students may find the
experience frustrating at first, but soon will find the challenge
fulfilling as they achieve success. Thus it is with all experiences
that give life depth and meaning.
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John Kurilecjmk@ofcn.org