Recap:
Phylum Porifera: They are commonly called sponges. The unique feature is the
presence of choanocytes (collared flagellated cells). A well defined water canal system
or aquiferous system is present which serves as the lifeline of the sponges.
Phylum Coelenterata: The presence of a body cavity or gastrovascular cavity called
coelenteron. It helps in digestion and distribution of food. This phylum is also known as
Cnidaria. The unique feature is the presence of cnidoblasts. These are specialized
stinging cells that help in offense and defense, food capture and locomotion. The two
alternate forms of life are polyp and [Link] reproduces asexually to form
medusa and medusa reproduces sexually to form polyp. This phenomenon is called
alternation of generation. Example- corals, secrete calcium carbonate skeletons around
themselves.
Phylum Ctenophora: The animals of this phylum are exclusively marine,
hermaphrodites but undergo sexual reproduction. The unique feature is the presence of
comb plates. The 8 rows of ciliated comb plates aids in locomotion. They secrete a
luciferase enzyme that produces bioluminescence. The development is indirect through
cydippid larvae.
Phylum Platyhelminthes: The unique feature is its dorsoventrally flattened body and
looks leaf or ribbon shaped. They are triploblastic. Example- Planaria, Fasciola.
Phylum Aschelminthes: The unique feature is their unsegmented cylindrical body.
They are also known as Nematoda. The body is triploblastic, pseudocoelomate.
Example- Ascaris lumbricoides.
Phylum Annelida:
Earthworms are called farmer’s friends. They eat the soil and help in making the soil
soft and porous. The worm castings (undigested food) pass out through the anus and
mix up with the soil, thereby adding nutrients. This increases the water holding capacity
of the soil and the plants grow very well.
The scientific name of earthworm is Pheretima posthuma.
Annelida:
The term annelida can be divided into two parts, ‘Annulus’ means ring and ‘Eidos’
means form. Phylum Annelida is a very broad phylum belonging to the kingdom
Animalia. The Annelids are found in aquatic as well as terrestrial environments. These
are bilaterally symmetrical invertebrate organisms. They have a segmented body
(metameric segmentation) which is a unique characteristic of the organisms which come
under this phylum.
Peripatus- Connecting link between Annelida and Arthropoda:
Peripatus is an organism which is considered as the connecting link between annelids
and arthropods. The reason behind this is that peripatus shows characteristics of both
annelids and arthropods. In the case of annelids, peripatus has similarities such as
worm-like segmented body, segmented nephridia, etc. While, in the case of Arthropoda,
periptus has similarities like jointed legs. Hence, peripatus is considered as the
connecting link between annelids and arthropods.
Leech and Salt Relation:
Leech is a blood-sucking ectoparasite (sanguivorous) which has two types of suckers:
anterior and posterior, that help it to suck the blood from the host body. The saliva of the
leech contains a protein called hirudin that acts as a blood anticoagulant. It prevents the
blood from clotting.
Whenever we add salt to leeches, osmosis occurs. Leeches have a lot of water in their
bodies, and their bodies are covered with skin which is a porous membrane. So when
we add salt to the body of the leech, the salt will dissolve in the mucus. As a result, the
concentration of salt outside of the body of the leech will be high and hence, water
present in the body of the leech will try to come outside. This leads to dehydration and
eventually, the leech will die.
Leech Therapy:
The application of leech therapy was introduced during the time of ancient Egypt.
Currently, Leeches are used in plastic and reconstructive surgery. They help to improve
blood flow in different regions of the skin where poor blood circulation can occur.
Habitat- They live in both terrestrial (earthworm) and aquatic (freshwater- Leech;
marine water- Nereis) habitats. They can be free-living or parasitic (Ectoparasitic-
Leech). Free-living can be terrestrial (Earthworm), freshwater (Leech (Hirudinaria
manillensis), releases hirudin which is anticoagulant) or Marine (Neris (ragworm, clam
worm, sandworm)).
The Hirudinaria granulosa (Indian cattle leech) is found in India. It lives in freshwater
and is ectoparasite on fishes, frogs, cattle and humans. It is sanguivorous
(bloodsucking) in nature.
Symmetry- They show bilateral symmetry. The body can be divided into two equal
halves on cutting along a single plane.
Germ layer- These are triploblastic organisms (presence of all three germ layers). The
ectoderm gives rise to body covering, the endoderm forms the digestive tract and the
mesoderm forms the tissue layer.
Level of Organization- They show the organ system level of the organization.
Body cavity- True body cavity or coelom lined with mesoderm is present. Annelids are
the first animals to have a true body cavity.
Segmentation- Annelids show a characteristic feature of metameric segmentation.
Metameric segmentation is the segmentation of the body into linear segments in which
the external segment coincides with internal segmentation, with serial repetition of
certain organs. Example- Nephridia. The segments are called metameres. The internal
divisions are called septa.
Segmentation (definition):
The body of some animals is divided transversely into a number of similar parts or
segments. Each of these segments works in a coordinated manner. This kind of
characteristic is called segmentation. For example, organisms grouped under the
phylum annelida show segmentation.
Digestive system- Complete digestive system with both openings i.e. mouth and anus.
It shows a tube within a tube body plan. The inner tube represents the digestive tract
and the outer tube represents the body wall. The digestive system consists of the
pharynx, esophagus, crop, gizzard, intestine and anus.
Circulatory system- It has a closed circulatory system. Blood is red in colour due to the
presence of haemoglobin which is dissolved in the blood plasma. It is not true of a blood
vascular system. The modified dorsal blood vessel becomes the main heart.
Closed Circulatory System:
Closed circulatory system refers to a type of circulatory system in which the main
circulatory organ (or heart) pumps blood into the blood vessels. The blood is then
circulated to different parts of the body via the blood vessels. Organisms grouped under
the phylum Annelida have a closed circulatory system.
Excretory System- It consists of highly coiled tubular structures called nephridia. Along
with excretion it also helps in osmoregulation.
Nephridia:
Nephridia is the excretory organ present in annelids such as earthworms. It is a coiled
tube-like structure that helps in removal of wastes from the body.
Osmoregulation:
Osmoregulation refers to a process by which salt and water balance is maintained
across the membrane in the body of an organism.
Nervous system- Nervous system consists of a pair of ganglia which represent the
brain. Nerves are connected to the double ventral nerve cord with ganglia. The
presence of brain on the ventral side of the body is the characteristic feature of non-
chordates.
Ganglia:
The nervous system present in annelida is called ganglia. In organisms like earthworms,
two cerebral ganglia are connected with a primitive brain and the sensory and motor
nerves are also connected with this part.
Locomotion- Circular and longitudinal muscles help in locomotion. These muscles
function as a hydrostatic skeleton by the pressure development in the body [Link]
annelids like Nereis show parapodia (parallel feet). The parapodia show functions like
gas exchange, anchorage, protection and locomotion. Some annelids show chitinous
setae for locomotion.
Parapodia are the extensions of the body wall. They possess bristle-like chitinous
structures called setae.
Respiration- Exchange of gases takes place through the skin (Cutaneous respiration).
Reproduction- They reproduce through sexual mode. Some of them are
Hermaphrodites or monoecious (Sexes are not separate) Example- Earthworms and
Leeches.
Some are dioecious or unisexual (sexes are separate) Example- Neries.
Self-fertilization does not occur as the male and female reproductive organs do not
mature at the same time. The earthworms mate by joining together and fertilizing each
other’s eggs.
Fertilization is internal.
Fertilization is followed by cocoon formation. This is secreted by Clitelum (segment 14,
15 and 16). The egg case slips off and the new worm hatches out.
Development is direct.
● Examples- Neanthes (Neries), Pheretima (Earthworm), Hirudinaria granulosa
(Leech), Hirudomedicinalis (medicinal leech).
Crop:
Crop is a part of the digestive system of some organisms of the phylum Annelida (eg:
earthworm). It helps the organism to store the food temporarily.
Gizzard:
Gizzard is a part of the digestive system of some organisms of the phylum annelida (eg:
earthworm). It helps in the digestion of food by grinding the food particles.
Phylum Arthropoda:
The word Arthropoda is divided into parts such as: ‘Arthos’ which means joint and
‘Poda’ which means ‘appendage or foot’. It is the largest Phylum of the animal kingdom.
The phylum arthropoda includes the largest number of animals with approximately
900,000 species.
Example- cockroach (Periplaneta americana).
Arthron- Joint, podos- Foot.
Entomology- It is the study of Insects.
Hercules beetle- It can carry a weight which is approximately 850 times more than that
of its weight.
Black widow spider- It is a poisonous spider. Their poison is said to be 15 times
stronger than snake venom.
Deathstalker scorpion- It is also called a Yellow scorpion. Its venom is a neurotoxin.
Its tail (last segment of the body) is full of poison.
Cyanide millipede- Commonly called as yellow spotted millipede. It secretes hydrogen
cyanide to kill.
Giant Coconut crab- It is the largest terrestrial arthropod. It weighs up to 4-4.5 kgs.
The second-largest phylum of the animal kingdom is phylum Mollusca.
General Characteristics:
Habitat- Arthropods are seen everywhere. They can be on land, in the soil, air,
seawater, freshwater and they can be parasites in the bodies of plants and animals.
Level of Organization- They show organ system levels of the organization.
Symmetry- Arthropods have bilateral symmetry.
Body form- They have jointed legs. The body is segmented. The body is divided into
the head, thorax and abdomen. Each of the segments have a specialized function.
Head and thorax are fused in some species of crustaceans to form a cephalothorax.
The jointed appendages help in the locomotion.
Germ layers- Arthropods are triploblastic with all three germ layers.
Body wall- The body is covered with a chitinous exoskeleton. This sheds off
periodically to allow growth. This is the most successful phylum of the animal kingdom.
Exoskeleton: The presence of a skeleton outside the body is called an exoskeleton.
Endoskeleton: The presence of a skeleton inside the body is called an endoskeleton.
Body cavity- They are coelomates, which means the body cavity is lined by mesoderm.
In adults, cavities are seen mainly in reproductive and excretory organs. The remaining
body cavity is filled with blood (hemolymph).
Arthropods have a body cavity (hemocoel) in which the circulating fluid (blood) flows.
This body cavity is filled with hemolymph.
Digestive system- Complete digestive system with two openings, mouth and anus.
Respiratory system- It shows variations in different types of arthropods.
(i) Book gills are seen in aquatic forms like king crabs, Limulus (horseshoe crab - Living
fossil)
(ii) Tracheal system in insects with spiracles for the air to enter and leave. The tracheal
system consists of tracheoles, air sacs and trachea.
(iii) Book lungs are seen in the case of spiders, scorpions. They are shaped like the
pages of books.
Living fossils: The organisms which have not undergone any major evolutionary
change in the past billions of years.
Book Gills:
Book gills refer to the respiratory organ present in the aquatic arthropods. It is a flap-like
structure that helps in the gaseous exchange. For example, king crabs.
Book Lungs:
Book lungs refer to the respiratory organ present in different arthropods like spiders,
scorpions etc.
Circulatory system- It has an open circulatory system. Blood does not flow in definite
vessels. There occurs a hemocoel cavity which is full of blood known as hemolymph
and the organs are suspended in this cavity.
Open Circulatory System:
The open circulatory system refers to a type of circulatory system in which the heart
pumps the hemolymph into a cavity.
Excretory system- Excretion is either through green glands or Malpighian tubules.
In insects excretion is through malpighian tubules and in crustaceans (prawn), it is
through Green glands or antennary glands. Excretory waste is in the form of uric acid.
Uric acid is the least toxic nitrogenous waste which is excreted as semi-solid or paste
form.
Malpighian Tubule:
Malpighian tubules refer to the excretory organ present in arthropods. They extract
water nitrogenous wastes from the hemocoel and convert it into uric acid.
Nervous system- It includes a nerve ring with a pair of ventral nerve cords.
Sensory system- It includes a pair of simple and compound eyes with antennae. A
balancing organ called the statocyst is present in the arthropods. Jellyfish have a
tenticulocyst for balance and equilibrium.
Compound Eyes:
The compound eyes refer to a sensory organ present in the arthropods and it is made
up of units called ommatidia. An ommatidium contains a cluster of photoreceptor cells
surrounded by support cells and pigment cells.
Reproductive System: Sexes are separate (dioecious). Sexual dimorphism is
observed in many arthropods. Fertilization is mostly internal. All the insects lay eggs.
The scorpions show ovoviviparous condition.
Development- It can be direct or indirect. In indirect development, there is a
metamorphosis. There occur caterpillar larvae in locusts, Rigler larvae in mosquitos.
The young ones are called nymphs.
In some animals like Honey bees- Male honey bees are formed by parthenogenesis,
where the unfertilized egg develops into male bees.
Examples-
Economically important insects-
Apis indica, Apis floria, Apis malifera- Honey bees- Honey and wax production and also
helps in pollination.
Bombyx mori - Silkworm- Silk is obtained by killing the pupa.
Laccifer- Lac insect- Lac dust is used in the manufacture of varnish, polish, bangles and
toys.
Vector-
Mosquitoes-
(i) Anopheles- causes Malaria,
(ii) Aedes- Causes Dengue, Chikugunia (yellow fever)
(iii) Culex- Filariasis.
The saliva of mosquitoes has anticoagulants.
Housefly (Musca), spread some dangerous diseases such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhea,
tuberculosis, etc.
Gregarious (occur in groups) pest- Locusta. They are the most destructive of all insects.
Venomous arthropods: Deathstalker scorpion, widow spider, etc.
Living Fossil- Limulus (King crab): It continues to remain unchanged for about 190
million years.