1.
Phylum – Porifera (Sponges)
The name porifera has been derived from porous body.
Habitat: Marine
Symmetry: asymmetrical
Level of organization: cellular level of organisation
Water enters through pores called Ostia and goes out through osculum via central cavity
known as spongocoel
Spongocoel is lined by collar cells or choanocytes.
Food intake, gaseous exchange and excretion occurs through the water transport system.
Intracellular digestion.
Body skeleton is made up of spongin fibres or spicules
Reproduction:
Sponges are hermaphrodite i.e., eggs and sperms are produced by the same individual.
Reproduce asexually by fragmentation and sexually by the formation of gametes.
Fertilisation is internal and the development of zygote goes through a larval stage which is
morphologically different from adult i.e. development is indirect.
Examples: Spongilla (freshwater sponge), Euspongia (bath sponge), Sycon (Scypha)
2. Phylum – Coelenterata (cnidaria)
The name cnidaria is derived from the cnidoblasts or cnidocytes (which contain the stinging
capsules or nematocysts) present on the tentacles and the body.
Habitat: Aquatic, mostly marine, sessile or free-swimming,
Symmetry: radially symmetrical and acoelomate
Level of organization: tissue level of organisation, diploblastic
The central gastro-vascular cavity has a single opening called hypostome, which is
surrounded by sensory tentacles.
Cnidoblasts are used for anchorage, defense and for the capture of prey.
Digestion is both, extracellular and intracellular
Corals have calcium carbonate skeleton.
Cnidarians exhibit two basic body forms called polyp and medusa.
A polyp is a sessile and cylindrical form, e.g Hydra, Adamsia
Medusa is an umbrella-shaped free-swimming form, e.g. Aurelia (jellyfish)
In some coelenterates, e.g. Obelia alternation of generation (metagenesis) exist. Polyp form
produces medusae asexually and medusae produce polyp sexually
Examples: Meandrina (Brain coral), Adamsia (Sea anemone), Gorgonia (Sea-
fan), Physalia (Portuguese man of war), Pennatula (Sea-pen)
3. Phylum – Ctenophora (sea walnuts or comb jellies)
Habitat: Marine
Symmetry: radially symmetrical
Level of organization: tissue level of organisation,
Germ layers: diploblastic (only 2, Ectoderm and endoderm)
Coelomic cavity: acoelomate
Eight rows of ciliated comb plates present externally.
Comb plates help in locomotion.
Digestion is extracellular and intracellular
Bioluminescence is present. (the property of a living organism to emit light)
Hermaphrodite
Sexual reproduction, fertilisation is external with indirect development
Examples: Ctenoplana, Pleurobrachia
4. Phylum – Platyhelminthes (flatworms)
The name has been derived from the dorsoventrally flattened body.
Habitat: Mostly endoparasites,
Germ layers: triploblastic (3, Ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm)
Symmetry: bilaterally symmetrical,
Level of organization: organ level of organisation
Coelomic cavity: acoelomate
Hooks and suckers are present in parasites
Excretion: Flame cells are present, which help in osmoregulation and excretion
Hermaphrodite or monoecious
Internal fertilisation and indirect development through many larval stages
Planaria can regenerate
Examples: Fasciola (Liver fluke), Taenia (tapeworm)
5. Phylum – Aschelminthes (Nematoda) (Roundworms)
The name has been derived from the fact that body looks round in cross-section
Habitat: Free-living or parasitic, aquatic or terrestrial
Germ layers: triploblastic (3, Ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm)
Symmetry: bilaterally symmetrical,
Level of organization: organ level of organisation
Coelomic cavity: pseudocoelomate, coelomic cavity is not lined by mesoderm
Digestive system: The alimentary canal is complete and has a muscular pharynx
Sexual dimorphism: Dioecious, females are longer than males
Internal fertilisation with direct or indirect development
Examples: Ascaris (roundworm), Wuchereria (Filarial worm), Ancylostoma (hookworm)
6. Phylum – Annelida
The name has been derived from the fact that body is metamerically segmented
Habitat: Free-living or parasitic, aquatic or terrestrial
Germ layers: triploblastic (3, Ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm)
Symmetry: bilaterally symmetrical.
Level of organization: organ level of organisation.
Coelomic cavity: True coelomic cavity
Digestive system: The alimentary canal is complete and has a muscular pharynx
Locomotion: Longitudinal and circular muscles help in locomotion
-Nereis, an aquatic animal has appendages called parapodia, which help in swimming
The circulatory system: Closed circulatory system, Blood flows in blood vessels.
Excretion: Nephridia is present for osmoregulation and excretion
Nervous system: Paired ganglia are present, which are connected to double ventral nerve
cord by lateral nerves
Reproduction is sexual. Nereis is dioecious, earthworm and leeches are monoecious
Examples: Pheretima (earthworm), Nereis, Hirudinaria (bloodsucking leech)
7. Phylum – Arthropoda
The name has been derived from the fact that the group is jointed legs.
Largest phylum with two-thirds of all known animals.
It contains insects.
Germ layers: triploblastic (3, Ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm)
Symmetry: bilaterally symmetrical,
Level of organization: organ level of organisation
Coelomic cavity: True coelomic cavity
Exoskeleton: Their body is covered by chitinous exoskeleton
Their body can be divided into three regions; head, thorax and abdomen
Respiration: is by trachea, gills, book gills, book lungs
The circulatory system: is open type. Blood vessels are absent.
Digestive system: The alimentary canal is complete and has a muscular pharynx
Statocyst or balancing organs are present
Eyes are simple or compound
Excretion: Malpighian tubules help in excretion
Mostly dioecious, oviparous and fertilisation is internal
Examples: economically important species- Bombyx (silkworm), Apis (honey bee) Vector for
diseases- mosquitoes like Anopheles, Aedes, Culex. Living fossil- Limulus (King crab)
8. Phylum – Mollusca
It is the second largest group,
The name has been derived from the fact that animals have soft body.
Germ layers: triploblastic (3, Ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm)
Symmetry: bilaterally symmetrical,
Level of organization: organ level of organisation
Coelomic cavity: True coelomic cavity
Unsegmented body covered with a calcareous shell
Distinct head, muscular foot and the visceral hump is present
Respiratory and excretory functions are executed by feather-like gills
The radula is a rasping organ for feeding
They are dioecious, oviparous with indirect development
Examples: Pila (apple snail), Octopus (devilfish), Loligo (squid), Sepia (cuttlefish),
Pinctada (pearl oyster)
9. Phylum – Echinodermata
The name has been derived from presence of endoskeleton of calcareous ossicles. (Spiny
Derm)
Germ layers: triploblastic (3, Ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm)
Symmetry: Adult- radially symmetrical, larvae- bilaterally symmetrical
Level of organization: organ level of organisation
Coelomic cavity: True coelomic cavity
Digestive system: It is complete. The mouth is present on the ventral side and anus on the
dorsal side
The characteristic feature is the presence of Water vascular system, which helps in feeding,
locomotion and respiration.
Dioecious, external fertilisation with indirect development
Examples: Asterias (starfish), Ophiura (brittle star), Antedon (sea lily), Echinus (sea urchin)
10. Phylum – Hemichordata
The name has been derived from the presence of stomochord, a structure similar to the
notochord
Germ layers: triploblastic (3, Ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm)
Symmetry: bilaterally symmetrical,
Level of organization: organ level of organisation
Coelomic cavity: True coelomic cavity
Cylindrical body with a proboscis, a collar and a long trunk
Gills are present.
Circulation is open type
Excretion: Proboscis gland works as an excretory organ
Dioecious, external fertilisation with indirect development
Examples: Balanoglossus, Saccoglossus
11. Phylum – Chordata
Characteristic features are a dorsal hollow nerve cord, a notochord and paired gill slits
Germ layers: triploblastic (3, Ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm)
Symmetry: bilaterally symmetrical
Level of organization: organ level of organisation
Coelomic cavity: True coelomic cavity
Circulatory system: it is closed type
The post-anal tail is present.
Three subphylums come under Chordata:
1. Urochordata– notochord present only in the larval tail, e.g. Ascidia, Salpa, Doliolum
2. Cephalochordata– notochord present throughout life from head to tail,
e.g. Branchiostoma (Lancelet or amphioxus)
3. Vertebrata– Notochord is present in the embryonic stage, it gets replaced by Vertebral
Column
Vertebrata is further divided into two divisions
a. Agnatha (without jaws): Class Cyclostomata
b. Gnathostomata (with jaws): has two Super Class:
i. Pisces (bear fins): two Classes- Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes
ii. Tetrapoda (bear limbs): four classes- Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and mammals
Class I – Cyclostomata (Circular Mouthed Fishes)
Characterised by circular and sucking mouth without jaws
Habitat: Marine but migrate to freshwater for spawning where they die, larvae after metamorphosis
come back to the ocean
Ectoparasites on fishes
Respiration: They have an elongated body with 6-15 pairs of gill slits
Scales and fins are absent
Cartilaginous vertebral column and cranium
Circulation: Closed type
Examples: Petromyzon (Lamprey), Myxine (Hagfish)
Superclass: Pisces
Class I – Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous fishes)
Cartilaginous endoskeleton
Habitat: They are marine animals
The body is streamlined with mouth on the ventral side
Respiration: Gills are without operculum
The notochord is present throughout life
Placoid scales are present on the skin which makes it tough
They have backwardly directed teeth which are the modified placoid teeth
They are strong jaws and thus are powerful predators
Circulation: closed with two chambered heart.
It swims constantly to avoid sinking as air bladders are absent
Two chambered heart and poikilothermous (cold-blooded)
Separate sexes, internal fertilisation and many are viviparous
Claspers are present on male’s pelvic fin
Electric organs are present in Torpedo and Trygon has poison sting
Examples: Scoliodon (Dogfish), Trygon (Stingray), Pristis (Sawfish), Carcharodon (Great white shark)
Class II – Osteichthyes (Bony fishes)
Streamlined body, bony endoskeleton,
Habitat: both marine and freshwater.
Terminal mouth
4 pairs of gills with operculum
Skin is covered by cycloid/ ctenoid scales
Two chambered heart
air bladder for buoyancy,
Poikilothermous (cold blooded)
Sexes are separate, oviparous, external fertilisation with direct development
Examples: Marine- Hippocampus (Sea horse), Exocoetus (Flying fish)
Freshwater- Labeo (Rohu), Clarias (Magur), Catla (Katla)
Aquarium- Betta (Fighting Fish), Pterophyllum (Angelfish)
Superclass: Tetrapoda
Class I – Amphibia
Amphibians can live in aquatic as well as terrestrial habitats
Most of them have two pairs of limbs.
Body is divisible into head and trunk. Tail may be present in some.
The amphibian skin is moist (without scales).
The eyes have eyelids.
A tympanum represents the ear.
Alimentary canal, urinary and reproductive tracts open into a common chamber called cloaca which opens
to the exterior.
Respiration is by gills, lungs and through skin.
The heart is three chambered (two auricles and one ventricle). These are cold-blooded animals.
Sexes are separate.
Fertilisation is external. They are oviparous and development is indirect.
Examples: Bufo (Toad), Rana (Frog), Hyla (Tree frog), Salamandra (Salamander), Ichthyophis (Limbless
amphibia).
Class – Reptilia
The class name refers to their creeping or crawling mode of locomotion.
They are mostly terrestrial animals.
Their body is covered by dry and cornified skin, epidermal scales or scutes.
They do not have external ear openings.
Tympanum represents ear. Limbs, when present, are two pairs.
Heart is usually three-chambered, but four-chambered in crocodiles. Reptiles are poikilotherms.
Snakes and lizards shed their scales as skin cast.
Sexes are separate. Fertilisation is internal.
They are oviparous and development is direct.
Examples: Chelone (Turtle), Testudo (Tortoise), Chameleon (Tree lizard), Calotes (Garden lizard), Crocodilus
(Crocodile), Alligator (Alligator). Hemidactylus (Wall lizard), Poisonous snakes – Naja (Cobra), Bangarus
(Krait), Vipera (Viper).
Class – Aves
The characteristic features of Aves (birds) are the presence of feathers and most of them can fly except
flightless birds (e.g., Ostrich).
They possess beak.
The forelimbs are modified into wings.
The hind limbs generally have scales and are modified for walking, swimming or clasping the tree
branches.
Skin is dry without glands except the oil gland at the base of the tail.
Endoskeleton is fully ossified (bony) and the long bones are hollow with air cavities (pneumatic).
Digestive system: The digestive tract of birds has additional chambers, the crop and gizzard.
Circulation: Heart is completely four chambered. They are warm-blooded (homoiothermous) animals,
i.e., they are able to maintain a constant body temperature.
Respiration is by lungs. Air sacs connected to lungs supplement respiration.
Sexes are separate. Fertilisation is internal.
They are oviparous and development is direct.
Examples : Corvus (Crow), Columba (Pigeon), Psittacula (Parrot), Struthio (Ostrich), Pavo (Peacock),
Aptenodytes (Penguin), Neophron (Vulture).
Class – Mammalia
Habitat: They are found in a variety of habitats – polar ice caps, deserts, mountains, forests, grasslands
and dark caves.
Some of them have adapted to fly or live in water.
The most unique mammalian characteristic is the presence of milk producing glands (mammary glands)
by which the young ones are nourished.
They have two pairs of limbs, adapted for walking, running, climbing, burrowing, swimming or flying,
The skin of mammals is unique in possessing hair.
External ears or pinnae are present.
Different types of teeth are present in the jaw.
Circulation: Heart is four chambered. They are homoiothermous.
Respiration is by lungs.
Sexes are separate and fertilisation is internal.
They are viviparous with few exceptions and development is direct.
Examples: Oviparous-Ornithorhynchus (Platypus); Viviparous - Macropus (Kangaroo), Pteropus (Flying
fox), Camelus (Camel), Macaca (Monkey), Rattus (Rat), Canis (Dog), Felis (Cat), Elephas (Elephant), Equus
(Horse), Delphinus (Common dolphin), Balaenoptera (Blue whale), Panthera tigris (Tiger), Panthera leo
(Lion).
