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Animal Kingdom Notes: Classification, Characteristics,
Examples, Animal Kingdom Chart, FAQs
2021/06/09
The Animal kingdom is also known as Animalia, it consis
of over a million species of animals. Remembering the
character of individual animals is an impossible task and for this reason, the need for classification becomes more
important. This classification also helps in assigning a systematic position to newly described or discovered
species. In this article, we are going to learn about the types of animals that are divided into Phylums. But before
that, we need to learn the basis of classification
Read Animal Morphology.
What is Animal Kingdom?
The Animal kingdom is also known as Animalia, it consists of over a million species of animals. Animal Kingdom
isa basic group of natural objects that includes all living and extinct animals. Remembering the character of
individual animals is an impossible task and for this reason, the need for classification becomes more important.
This classification also helps in assigning a systematic position to newly described or discovered species.
Basis of Classification
Despite the differences in form of different animals and structure, there are fundamental features common to
various individuals and those features are:
Arrangement of cells: The animals in which cells are arranged in two embryonic layers, external
ectoderm and internal endoderm are called diploblastic. Eg. Porifera and Cnidaria
2, Body symmetry: symmetry and asymmetry
Symmetry: radial symmetry and Bilateral symmetry
4, Nature of eoelom: The body cavity whieh is ined by mesoderm is called coclom. Animals possessing
coelom are called coelomates (Annelida, Chordates, Mollusca). In some animals, the eavity is not lined by
mesoderm but seattered as pouches in between ectoderm and endoderm, which are called
pseudocoelomates (Aschelminthes). The animals in which the body cavity is absent are ealled
acoelomates (Platyhelminthes),
Patterns of digestive, circulatory or reproductive systems: Incomplete digestive system has one
e
opening but the complete digestive system has two opening- mouth and anus. These features are used as
the basis of animal classification and based on this the characteristics of different phyla are discussed
ahead.
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‘The different types of Phylum and their characteristics are given below:
Porifera (Pore bearers)
Porifera is a phylum of aquatic invertebrate animals that comprises the sponges.
The simplest multicellular aquatic animal mostly found in the sea but only those belonging to the
family Spongillidae live in freshwater.
The body is not differentiated in tissues.
‘Spongocoel, a hollow tube present in their body.
Ostia, many
small pores present in their body from which water enters the body.
Osculum, a single large opening located at the top of their body, is the exit for water.
‘The Canal system, which consists of Ostia and canals, is unique to this phylum.
Water circulation is seen in their body.
Example: Spongilla (freshwater sponge), Euspongia (Bath sponge), Sycon, scypha ete.
Euplectetta Seypha (Sycon)
Cnidaria (Sac-like animals)
Cnidaria is a phylum of aquatic invertebrate animals that comprises the coelenterates.
Diploblastic, multicellular animals with tissue grade of body organization.
Digestion takes place in the eoelenteron, a gastrovascular cavity formed by two-layered body walls ie
the epidermis and the gastrodermis.
This cavity opens by a mouth at one end only.
Tentacles found around the mouth opening, having peculiar stinging cell organelles known as
nematocysts. These tentacles are used in the offence, defence, food capture and adhesion.
Respiratory, circulatory and excretory organs are not present, Example: Hydra, Obelia, Aurelia
(Jellyfish), Pennulata (Sea pen), Corallium (Red coral), physalis (Portuguese man of war),
illipore
(Coral), Metridium (Sea anemone) ete,Cnidoblast
Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)
Platyhelminthes is a phylum of soft-bodied bilaterally symmetrical usually flattened invertebrates comprising the
planarians, flukes, tapeworms, and related worms.
Small, soft, flattened, unsegmented, triploblastic worms do not have any cavities.
Known as flatworms because these are bilaterally symmetrical with a dorso-ventrally flattened body.
An incomplete digestive system is found in them with no cireulatory, respiratory and skeletons.
Liver FlukeEee ta
Tapeworm
Aschelminthes (Roundworms)
Aschelminthes are invertebrate animals belonging to a group of phyla that are distinguished by the lack of well-
developed coelom and blood vessels. Most are minute wormlike animals, including the nematodes, rotifers, and
water bears.
‘Mostly aquatic, free-living or parasitic.
Body slender, vermiform, unsegmented, flat or cylindrical, triploblastic and bilaterally symmetrical.
Organ system grade body organization is found.
Pseudocoelomate, which means body eavity is false.
Tough, resistant euticles cover the body.
‘The digestive system is complete, but no circulatory or respiratory system is found.
Protonephridia is an excretory organ found in some of them.
Example: Ancylostoma (Hookworm), Ascaris (Roundworm), Wuchereia (Filarial worm) ete,
Annelida (Segmented)
Annelida is a large phylum that comprises segmented worms, which include earthworms, lugworms, ragworms,
and leeches.Elongated, bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic body and shows metamerism.
Seagate or chaetae and parapodia are the locomotory organs.
Haemoglobin is not present in RBC while it is dissolved in plasma.
A closed circulatory system is present and nephridia acts as an excretory organ.
Larva when present in the trochophore. Regeneration is common.
Example: Nereis, Pheretima (earthworm), Hirudinaria ete.
Arthropoda
Arthropoda is a large phylum of invertebrate animals that ineludes inseets, spiders, crustaceans, and their
relatives. They have a segmented body, an external skeleton, and jointed limbs.
The largest number of species belong to this phylum.
Bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic and metamerically segmented body.
‘The body is divided into three parts i.e. head, thorax and abdomen. Head and thorax often fused to
form a cephalo-thorax.
The exoskeleton is present and made of the cuticle.
The body cavity is haemocoel i.e. filled with blood.
Open circulatory system is present.
Exeretory organs are green glands, coxal glands or Malpighian tubules.
Am &Pray Pelarinaeis
Mollusca
‘The animals belonging to the phylum Mollusca have soft-bodies, triploblastic and bilaterally symmetrical and
coelomate.
Have a soft, unsegmented body and the body is covered by a fleshy fold of body wall called the mantle.
Have one or two calcareous shells.
Gills or pulmonary chambers are present for respiration.
Hemocyanin, the copper-containing respiratory pigment, is dissolved in the plasma.
The excretory organ is the kidney or the organ of Bojanus or kebers organ,
The development can be direct or indirect with three larval stages i.e. trochophore, veliger,
glochidium ete.
Examples: Octopus (Devilfish), Dentalium (Tusk shells), Doris (Sea lemon), Pila (Apple snail) ete
EchinodermataEchinodermata is a phylum of marine invertebrates which includes starfishes, sea urchins, brittlestars, erinoids,
and sea cucumbers. They have fivefold radial symmetry, a calcareous skeleton, and tube feet operated by fluid
pressure.
‘These are the exclusively marine animals and triploblastic and coelomate in nature.
Awater vascular system is present. For food capturing and locomotion, they use tube feet
Excretory organs are absent.
Echinoderms are sexually dimorphic and release their eggs and sperm cells into the water;
fertilization is external
‘The nervou:
system in these animals is a relatively simple structure with a nerve ring at the center
and five radial nerves extending outward along the arms.
Regeneration power is well developed.
They are known as spiny-skinned animals.
Examples: Starfish, sea cucumber, brittle star, sea urchins ete.
Chordata
AsteriusChordata is a large phylum of animals that includes the vertebrates together with the sea squirts and laneelets.
‘They are distinguished by the possession of a notochord at some stage during their development.
‘The organisms of this phylum have three characteristics during any stages of their life, the stages are
as follows:
a Askeletal rod, the notochord present at some stages in their life cycle.
g__ Nerve cord dorsal and tubular.
g__ Pharyngeal gills slits present at some stages of life and they may or may not be funetional.
Gill slits
Chordata Characterstics
There are some classes present in this phylum Chordata, they are described below:
1. Pisces
These are poikilothermic and aquatic animals.
Skins are moist and scaly usually.
Respiration takes place by gills.
Locomotion takes place by fins.
The heart is two-chambered.
The body is streamlined.
Sense organs are functional in water.
Example: Labeo (Indian carp), sea horse, Dogfish (Shark), Catfish, Gambusia, electric ray, Sawfish ete.
2. Amphibians
They are semi-aquatie, air and water breathing, carnivorons, cold-blooded, oviparous
tetrapod vertebrates.
Skin is soft, moist and glandular. Pigment cells are present (Chromatophores).
‘The exoskeleton is absent.
Respiration takes place through the lungs, skin and mouth linings.g__ The tongue is protrusible.
gq The heart is three-chambered having two auricles and one ventricle.
g __Larvaisa tadpole that metamorphoses into an adult.
Example: Proteus, Siren, Hyla, frog, toad ete,
3. Reptilia
g Predominantly terrestrial, ereeping or burrowing, mostly carnivorous, air-breathing,
cold-blooded, oviparous and tetrapodal animals.
Skin is dry, cornified and devoid of glands.
Respiration by lungs throughout life.
The heart is three-chambered. (Exception ~ crocodile)
No larval stages are seen,
Example: Tortoise, turtle, snake, crocodile, alligator ete
chelon
4. Aves,
gq Air-breathing, oviparous, warm-blooded, bipedal, lying.
gq _ Feather is seen in their body.
hearer eimitiedl we wien Skin inl cel em i elele.Do not have teeth instead have beaks.
Four chambered hearts are seen.
Lungs are present for respiration. Air sz
is also present.
The urinary bladder is absent.
Only one ovary is found in the female individual
Example: Corvus (Crow), Emu, Kiwi, Peacock, sparrow ete.
Pegion
5. Mammalia
Nephron
Mostly terrestrial, air-breathing, warm-blooded, viviparous vertebrates.
The presence of hair is seen in the body.
‘The skin contains sweat and the sebaceous gland.
Females have mammary glands with teats producing milk.
A diaphragm present between the abdominal and thoracie cavity is a unique feature of
only mammals.
Lungs are present for respiration.
‘The heart is four-chambered.
This class can be subdivided into three sub-classes, they are as follows:
Prototheri:
these are primitive reptiles. Egg-laying mammals, Example:
Platypus or duckbill.
Metatheria:
hese are pouched mammals. The pouch is called Marsupium. Young
born in the very immature stage and stays in this pouch for some time. Examples:
Kangaroo, koala ete.
Eutheria: Higher viviparous placental mammals.Mammailia
Also read about the Plant Kingdom.
Animal Kingdom Chart
Kingdom Ler Symmetry beady Cavity hm
Cellular evel ——————— Porifera
‘ Coelenterata
ak) : oe (Cnidaria)
Ctenophora
Tame / Oren /
Organ System —|
‘Without body Cavity Platyhelminthes
(Menlomates)
Wife sl tc
Aschekminthes
ane Annelida
Athrepae
wit trac Cacom_| sat
‘(Colomates)
Echinodrmata,
Nemichrdala
Chordata
So, this is all about the Animal Kingdom, Types of Phylum, their Characteristics. Get some practice of the same on
our free Testbook App. Download Now!Check Now Other Important Topics of Biology In Detail:
Human Immune System Plant Tissues
Sexually Transmited Diseases Skeletal Disorder
Sensory Organs Human Heart
Animal Kingdom Notes FAQs
Q.1 What is coelom?
Ans.t
The body cavity which is lined by mesoderm is called coelom.
Q.2 What is Hemocyanin?
Ans.2
Hemocyanin is the copper-containing respiratory pigment that is dissolved in the plasma of animals from phylum
Mollusca.
Q.3 What is Phylum Porifera?
Ans.3
The simplest multicellular aquatic animal mostly found in the sea but only those belonging to the family
Spongillidae living in freshwater.
Q.4 Which is the largest phylum in the animal kingdom?
Ans.4
Arthropoda is the largest phylum in the animal kingdom.
Q.5 Which is the second largest phylum?
Ans.5
Mollusca is the second largest Phylum in the Animal Kingdom.
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