Major group · Invertebrates
Invertebrates on FaunaHub
Invertebrates — animals without a backbone — make up the great majority of described animal species, from insects to corals and worms. This is the part of FaunaHub with the most room to grow.
Below, each group shows its coverage status. Several groups are still marked “planned” — they have no profiles yet and are queued for verified expansion batches rather than thin pages.
Insects
Partial coverageSix-legged arthropods — the most diverse group of animals by described species.
Insects are widely regarded as the most species-rich animal group, though exact totals vary by source.
On the roadmap (not yet profiled)
grasshopper, cricket, moth, wasp, termite, firefly, cicada, cockroach, aphid
Crustaceans
Thin coverageMostly aquatic arthropods — crabs, lobsters, shrimp, krill, and more.
On FaunaHub (3)
On the roadmap (not yet profiled)
shrimp, crayfish, barnacle, krill, yeti crab
Mollusks
Thin coverageA huge phylum including snails, clams, octopuses, and squid.
On FaunaHub (5)
On the roadmap (not yet profiled)
snail, slug, clam, oyster, mussel, scallop, cuttlefish, nudibranch, cone snail
Echinoderms
Partial coverageSpiny-skinned marine animals — sea stars, urchins, sea cucumbers, and relatives.
On FaunaHub (2)
On the roadmap (not yet profiled)
sea cucumber, sand dollar, brittle star, crinoid
Annelids
Thin coverageSegmented worms — earthworms, leeches, and marine bristle worms.
On FaunaHub (1)
On the roadmap (not yet profiled)
leech, ragworm, tube worm, lugworm
Flatworms
Planned expansionSoft, flattened worms, including free-living planarians and parasitic groups.
On the roadmap (not yet profiled)
planarian, tapeworm, fluke
Nematodes
Planned expansionRoundworms — an enormously abundant group found in nearly every habitat.
On the roadmap (not yet profiled)
roundworm, hookworm
Sponges
Planned expansionSimple, filter-feeding animals (Porifera) anchored to the seafloor.
On the roadmap (not yet profiled)
sea sponge, glass sponge
Other Invertebrates
Planned expansionMany further invertebrate groups exist, from tardigrades to comb jellies and velvet worms.
On the roadmap (not yet profiled)
tardigrade, comb jelly, velvet worm, horseshoe crab, sea squirt
Sources
- Catalogue of Life — Global index of the world's known species
- GBIF — Global Biodiversity Information Facility — International biodiversity data network
- ITIS — Integrated Taxonomic Information System — Authoritative taxonomic information (U.S. partnership)
- Animal Diversity Web — University of Michigan — Peer-edited reference accounts for animal species
Coverage is representative, not a complete inventory. Taxonomy changes as science improves, and species counts vary by source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are invertebrates less covered?
Are there really that many invertebrate species?
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