KINGDOM ANIMALIA

General characteristics of kingdom animalia

 They are multicellular and eukaryotes.
 They exhibit heterotrophic mode of nutrition.
 They have sensory nervous system.
 They have mainly sexual reproduction.
 They store food in the form of glycogen.
Distinctive features of kingdom animalia
 They have limited growth
 They possess legs for locomotion.
 They have nervous system.
 They show heterotrophic mode of nutrition
 They have skeleton tissues
Phyla of kingdom Animalia
a) Phylum platyhelminthesis.eg worms
b) Phylum nematoda.eg; ascaris
c) Phylum annelida.eg; earthworm
d) Phylum arthropoda.eg; insects
e) Phylum chordata.eg; fish
NOTE: At this level, we shall deal with the last three phyla that can appear at an exam due to their
possibility of availability.

A. Phylum Annelida.eg earthworms.

General characteristics of Annelida (earthworm)
 They have a closed circulatory system.
 They reproduce sexually, fertilization is external.
 They are hermaphrodite (two sexes in one organism)
 Have both circular and longitudinal muscles for movement.
 They are segmented. They have separate internal organs and body walls.
 They have a thin, moist, non-chitinous cuticle.
 Their body has external bristles (hair on an animal’s skin).

Distinctive features of annelida (earthworm)

 Has a long cylindrical body pointed at one end
 They have hydrostatic skeleton (made with fluid)
 The segments are divided by a cross wall called septum.
 Excretion is mainly by nephridia (small tubes open to the exterior for excretion or
osmoregulation).
Economic importance of annelida (earthworm)
 Their burrows provide natural drainage channels.
 Their burrows improve soil aeration.
 They increase the depth of top soil.
 The constant passages through the soil reduce the particle to a fine state.
 Used in biological study.
 Used as food for some organisms.
  They burrowing breaks up the soil and allows plant roots to grow more easily.
Adaptation of earthworm to mode of life
 Lives mostly in barrows to avoid dehydration.
 They possess chaeta for locomotion.
 They are omnivorous mode of feeding, this ensure availability of food throughout so increase
chance of survival.
 They have hydrostatic skeleton for support and locomotion.
 Similar color with environment produces camouflage.
Specimen: Earthworms
Common Habitat Mode of Production Mode of Nutrition
name
Earthworm They live in moisture They reproduce sexually by They are heterotrophs
soil. producing egg and sperm at the (omnivorous)
clitellum. Fertilization is
external

Classification of earthworm to class level

Specimen Kingdom Phylum Class
Earthworm Animalia Annelida Oligochaeta

Structure of Earthworm

B. Phylum Arthropoda.eg insects

General characteristics of phylum Arthropoda
 They have exoskeleton
 They have segmented body
 The body consists of head, thorax and abdomen
 Have antennae
 Have simple or compound eyes
Advantages of exoskeleton
 Provide protection from mechanical or chemical injury.
 Prevent the entry of pathogens.
 It maintains the shape and support the body
 It helps in locomotion
Disadvantages of exoskeleton
  It is hard and not flexible
 It limits growth and size due to its hardness.
 It is less sensitive
 It is impermeable to gas i.e. doesn't allow free gaseous exchange
Classes of phylum Arthropoda
1. Class diplopoda.eg millipede e
2. Class chilopoda.eg centipede
3. Class arachnida.eg spider
4. Class crustaceans.eg crab
5. Class insecta.eg bee

1. Class Diplopoda.eg millipede

General characteristics of diplopoda (millipede)
 They have segmented body
 They have two pairs of legs in each segment
 Roll into ball when threatened
 Excretion is through Malpighian tubules
 The sexes are separate male and female
Adaptations of millipede
 They possess legs for locomotion
 Presence of exoskeleton which protect the internal organs from desiccation.
 They secrete a toxic fluid for protection from predators.
 They lives in soil and they are brown blackish in color gives them camouflage.
 Have one pair of antenna for sensation
Observable features of millipede
 Have two pairs of legs in each segment
 Have one pair of antennae
 Body is divided in many segment
 Have simple eyes
Specimen; Millipede
Common name Habitat Mode of reproduction Mode of nutrition
Millipede They live in shady moist They reproduce sexually by They are heterotrophs
soils rich in organic laying eggs (omnivorous)
matter

Classification of millipede to class level

Specimen Kingdom Phylum Class
Millipede Animalia Athropoda Diplopoda
Structure of Millipede

2. Class chilopoda.eg centipede

General characteristics of chilopoda (centipede)
 Have flattered body
 Have one pair of legs in each segment
 Have pair of poisonous claws to the appendages
 Have a pair of antennae in head region
 Have a pair of mandibles on the mouth part
Observable features of centipede
 Have one pair of legs in each segment
 Have simple eyes
 Have poisonous claws
 Have a pair of antennae
Adaptation of centipede
 Have pair of antennae for sensation
 Have many legs for locomotion
 Have pair of poisonous claws for locomotion

Specimen; Centipede
Common name Habitat Mode of production Mode of nutrition
Centipede They live in sandy soil They reproduce They are heterotrophs
beneath stone, dry grass sexually by producing (omnivorous)
areas and barks of trees. egg.

Classification of centipede to class level

Specimen Kingdom Phylum Class
Centipede Animalia Athropoda Chilopoda

Structure of Centipede

3. Class Arachnida.eg spider, scorpion, and ticks

General characteristics of Arachnida (spider, scorpion, ticks)
 They have four pairs of legs
 The body is divided in two regions i.e. the cephalothorax and abdomen.
 Gaseous exchange is by book lungs or trachea system
 Some members have poisonous claws
 Have simple eyes
Observable features of spider, scorpion and ticks
 Have four pair of legs
 Have simple eyes
 Body divided into two regions
 Have poisonous sting
Adaptations of spider, scorpion, and ticks
 Have legs for locomotion
 Have simple eyes for sight
 Have poisonous sting for protection
Habitat of spider, scorpion, and ticks
 They are terrestrial organisms live in rocks, roof of the walls and in the soil

Classification of spider, scorpion, and ticks to class level

Specimen Kingdom Phylum Class
spider, scorpion, or Animalia Arthropoda Arachnida
ticks

Structure of Spider

Structure of Spider

4. Class crustaceans.eg crab

General characteristics of crustaceans (crab)
 Have exoskeleton
 Respiratory is by gills
 Have a pair of compound eyes
 Have four pairs of legs
 The body is divided into two main parts. i.e. cephalothorax and abdomen
 Sexes separate.
 They have two pairs of antennae.
Observable features of crustaceans (crab)
 Have four pairs of legs
 Have compound eyes
 Have exoskeleton
 The body is divided into two parts
Adaptations of crab
 Have legs for locomotion
 Have compound eyes for maximum sight
 Have exoskeleton for internal protection

Specimen; Crab
Common name Habitat Mode of Production Mode of Nutrition
Crab They can be found in They reproduce They are heterotrophs
most rivers, lakes, sexually by producing (omnivorous)
dams and swamps. egg.

Specimen Kingdom Phylum Class

Crab Animalia Arthropoda Crustacean

Structure of Crab