Animal Kingdom

Basis of Classification
Animals are classified based on shared fundamental features, including:

Levels of Organization:
Cellular Level: Cells arranged as loose aggregates with some division of labor (e.g.,
Porifera/sponges).
Tissue Level: Cells performing similar functions are organized into tissues (e.g.,
Coelenterata/cnidarians).
Organ Level: Tissues grouped into organs specialized for particular functions (e.g.,
Platyhelminthes/flatworms).
Organ System Level: Organs associated to form functional systems, each concerned with
a specific physiological function (e.g., Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata,
Chordata).
Digestive System: Can be either incomplete (single opening for mouth and anus) or
complete (two openings: mouth and anus).
Circulatory System:
Open Type: Blood pumped out of the heart and bathes the cells and tissues directly.
Closed Type: Blood circulates through vessels of varying diameters (arteries, veins,
capillaries).

Symmetry:
Asymmetrical: No plane divides the organism into equal halves (e.g., most sponges).
Radial Symmetry: Any plane passing through the central axis divides the organism into
two identical halves (e.g., Coelenterates, Ctenophores, Echinoderms).
Bilateral Symmetry: The body can be divided into identical left and right halves in only one
plane (e.g., Annelids, Arthropods).
Diploblastic and Triploblastic Organization:
Diploblastic: Cells arranged in two embryonic layers: ectoderm (external) and endoderm
(internal), with mesoglea (undifferentiated layer) in between (e.g., Coelenterates).
Triploblastic: Developing embryo has three germinal layers: ectoderm, mesoderm
(middle), and endoderm (e.g., Platyhelminthes to Chordates).
Coelom (Body Cavity):
Coelomates: Animals possessing a coelom, which is a body cavity lined by mesoderm
(e.g., Annelids, Molluscs, Arthropods, Echinoderms, Hemichordates, Chordates).
Pseudocoelomates: Animals with a body cavity not lined by mesoderm; mesoderm is
present as scattered pouches between the ectoderm and endoderm (e.g., Aschelminthes).
Acoelomates: Animals lacking a body cavity (e.g., Platyhelminthes).
Segmentation:
Metameric Segmentation: Body is externally and internally divided into segments with
serial repetition of at least some organs (e.g., Earthworm). The phenomenon is known as
metamerism.
Notochord:
Mesodermally derived rod-like structure formed on the dorsal side during embryonic
development in some animals. Animals with a notochord are called chordates; animals
without are called non-chordates (Porifera to Echinoderms).
Classification of Animals: Phyla
Phylum Porifera (Sponges):
Mostly marine, mostly asymmetrical.
Cellular level of organization.
Water transport/canal system (ostia spongocoel osculum).
Choanocytes (collar cells) line spongocoel and canals.
Intracellular digestion.
Skeleton of spicules or spongin fibers.
Hermaphrodites.
Asexual reproduction by fragmentation; sexual reproduction by gametes.
Internal fertilization, indirect development (larval stage).
Examples: Sycon (Scypha), Spongilla (freshwater sponge), Euspongia (bath sponge).
Phylum Coelenterata (Cnidaria):
Aquatic (mostly marine), sessile or free-swimming, radially symmetrical.
Cnidoblasts/cnidocytes (nematocysts) for anchorage, defense, and prey capture.
Tissue level of organization, diploblastic.
Gastrovascular cavity with a single opening (mouth on hypostome).
Extracellular and intracellular digestion.
Some have a skeleton of calcium carbonate (corals).
Two body forms: polyp (sessile, cylindrical) and medusa (umbrella-shaped, free-
swimming).
Metagenesis (alternation of generations) in some (e.g., Obelia).
Examples: Physalia (Portuguese man-of-war), Adamsia (sea anemone), Pennatula (sea-
pen), Gorgonia (sea-fan), Meandrina (brain coral).
Phylum Ctenophora:
Exclusively marine, radially symmetrical, diploblastic.
Tissue level of organization.
Eight external rows of ciliated comb plates for locomotion.
Extracellular and intracellular digestion.
Bioluminescence.
Sexual reproduction only, external fertilization, indirect development.
Examples: Pleurobrachia, Ctenoplana.
Phylum Platyhelminthes (Flatworms):
Dorso-ventrally flattened body.
Mostly endoparasites.
Bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, acoelomate.
Organ level of organization.
Hooks and suckers in parasitic forms.
Flame cells for osmoregulation and excretion.
Internal fertilization, development through larval stages.
High regeneration capacity (e.g., Planaria).
Examples: Taenia (tapeworm), Fasciola (liver fluke).
Phylum Aschelminthes (Roundworms):
Circular in cross-section.
Free-living (aquatic, terrestrial) or parasitic (plants, animals).
Organ-system level of organization.
Bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, pseudocoelomate.
Complete alimentary canal with muscular pharynx.
Excretory tube with excretory pore.
 Dioecious (sexes separate).
Internal fertilization, direct or indirect development.
Examples: Ascaris (roundworm), Wuchereria (filaria worm), Ancylostoma (hookworm).
Phylum Annelida:
Aquatic (marine, freshwater) or terrestrial; free-living or parasitic.
Organ-system level of organization, bilateral symmetry.
Triploblastic, metamerically segmented, coelomate.
Longitudinal and circular muscles for locomotion.
Aquatic annelids (Nereis) have parapodia for swimming.
Closed circulatory system.
Nephridia for osmoregulation and excretion.
Neural system with ganglia and ventral nerve cord.
Nereis is dioecious; earthworms and leeches are monoecious.
Sexual reproduction.
Examples: Nereis, Pheretima (earthworm), Hirudinaria (blood-sucking leech).
Phylum Arthropoda:
Largest animal phylum.
Organ-system level of organization.
Bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, segmented, coelomate.
Chitinous exoskeleton.
Body: head, thorax, abdomen.
Jointed appendages.
Respiratory organs: gills, book gills, book lungs, or tracheal system.
Open circulatory system.
Sensory organs: antennae, eyes (compound and simple), statocysts.
Excretion: malpighian tubules.
Mostly dioecious, internal fertilization, mostly oviparous.
Direct or indirect development.
Examples: Apis (honey bee), Bombyx (silkworm), Laccifer (lac insect), Anopheles, Culex,
Aedes (mosquitoes), Locusta (locust), Limulus (king crab).
Phylum Mollusca:
Terrestrial or aquatic (marine or freshwater).
Organ-system level of organization.
Bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate.
Calcareous shell (usually).
Unsegmented with distinct head, muscular foot, and visceral hump.
Mantle covers the visceral hump; mantle cavity contains feather-like gills.
Respiratory and excretory functions.
Sensory tentacles on the head.
Radula (rasping organ) for feeding.
Usually dioecious, oviparous, indirect development.
Examples: Pila (apple snail), Pinctada (pearl oyster), Sepia (cuttlefish), Loligo (squid),
Octopus (devil fish), Aplysia (sea-hare), Dentalium (tusk shell), Chaetopleura (chiton).
Phylum Echinodermata:
Endoskeleton of calcareous ossicles.
All marine, organ-system level of organization.
Adults: radially symmetrical; larvae: bilaterally symmetrical.
Triploblastic, coelomate.
Complete digestive system.
Water vascular system for locomotion, food capture/transport, and respiration.
Sexual reproduction, external fertilization, indirect development.
Excretory system absent.
 Separate sexes.
Examples: Asterias (starfish), Echinus (sea urchin), Antedon (sea lily), Cucumaria (sea
cucumber), Ophiura (brittle star).
Phylum Hemichordata:
Worm-like marine animals.
Organ-system level of organization.
Bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate.
Body: proboscis, collar, trunk.
Stomochord (rudimentary structure in the collar region, similar to notochord).
Open circulatory system.
Respiration via gills.
Excretion via proboscis gland.
Separate sexes, external fertilization, indirect development.
Examples: Balanoglossus, Saccoglossus.
Phylum Chordata:
Notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, paired pharyngeal gill slits.
Bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate.
Organ-system level of organization.
Post-anal tail, closed circulatory system.
Subphyla: Urochordata (Tunicata), Cephalochordata, Vertebrata.
Urochordata: Notochord in larval tail only.
Cephalochordata: Notochord extends from head to tail, persistent throughout life.
Vertebrata: Notochord replaced by vertebral column (cartilaginous or bony) in adults.
Class Cyclostomata: Ectoparasites on fishes. Elongated body, 6-15 pairs of gill slits,
sucking and circular mouth without jaws, no scales or paired fins, cartilaginous
cranium and vertebral column, closed circulation, migrate to freshwater to spawn then
die. Larvae return to the ocean. Examples: Petromyzon (lamprey), Myxine (hagfish).
Class Chondrichthyes: Marine with cartilaginous endoskeleton. Mouth located
ventrally. Notochord persistent throughout life. Separate gill slits without operculum.
Placoid scales. Powerful jaws, predaceous. No air bladder, must swim constantly. Two-
chambered heart. Poikilothermous. Internal fertilization, many are viviparous.
Examples: Scoliodon (dog fish), Pristis (saw fish), Carcharodon (great white shark),
Trygon (sting ray).
Class Osteichthyes: Bony endoskeleton. Streamlined body. Mouth mostly terminal.
Four pairs of gills covered by operculum. Cycloid/ctenoid scales. Air bladder present.
Two-chambered heart. Poikilothermous. External fertilization. Oviparous. Examples:
Exocoetus (flying fish), Hippocampus (sea horse), Labeo (rohu), Catla (katla), Clarias
(magur), Betta (fighting fish), Pterophyllum (angel fish).
Class Amphibia: Aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Two pairs of limbs. Body divisible into
head and trunk. Moist skin (no scales). Eyelids. Tympanum represents the ear. Cloaca.
Respiration by gills, lungs, and skin. Three-chambered heart. Poikilothermous. External
fertilization. Oviparous. Examples: Bufo (toad), Rana (frog), Hyla (tree frog), Salamandra
(salamander), Ichthyophis (limbless amphibia).
Class Reptilia: Creeping or crawling locomotion. Dry and cornified skin, epidermal
scales or scutes. No external ear openings. Tympanum represents ear. Limbs (when
present) are two pairs. Three-chambered heart (four-chambered in crocodiles).
Poikilotherms. Snakes and lizards shed scales as skin cast. Internal fertilization.
Oviparous. Examples: Chelone (turtle), Testudo (tortoise), Chameleon (tree lizard),
Calotes (garden lizard), Crocodilus (crocodile), Alligator (alligator), Hemidactylus (wall
lizard), Naja (cobra), Bangarus (krait), Vipera (viper).
Class Aves: Feathers. Beak. Forelimbs modified into wings. Hind limbs modified for
walking, swimming, or clasping. Dry skin (except oil gland at tail base). Fully ossified
endoskeleton, hollow bones (pneumatic). Crop and gizzard. Four-chambered heart.
Homoiothermous. Respiration by lungs, air sacs. Internal fertilization. Oviparous.
Examples: Corvus (crow), Columba (pigeon), Psittacula (parrot), Struthio (ostrich), Pavo
(peacock), Aptenodytes (penguin), Neophron (vulture).
Class Mammalia: Mammary glands. Hair. Two pairs of limbs adapted for various
functions. External ears (pinnae). Different types of teeth. Four-chambered heart.
Homoiothermous. Respiration by lungs. Internal fertilization. Viviparous (mostly).
Examples: Ornithorhynchus (platypus - oviparous), Macropus (kangaroo), Pteropus
(flying fox), Camelus (camel), Macaca (monkey), Rattus (rat), Canis (dog), Felis (cat),
Elephas (elephant), Equus (horse), Delphinus (dolphin), Balaenoptera (blue whale),
Panthera tigris (tiger), Panthera leo (lion).