Animal Kingdom 1
General Science
Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom 2
Basis for Animal Kingdom Classification
Classification of Animal Kingdom is based on various fundamental features like –
1. Levels of Organisation,
2. Symmetry,
3. Diploblastic and Triploblastic Organisation,
4. Coelom development,
5. Segmentation of the body and
6. Presense or absence of Notochord.
• The broad classification of Animalia based on common fundamental features:
Levels of Organisation
• Though all members of Animalia are multicellular, all of them do not exhibit the same pattern of
organisation of cells.
• For example, in sponges, the cells are arranged as loose cell aggregates, i.e., they exhibit cellular level
of organisation. Some division of labour (activities) occur among the cells.
• In coelenterates, the arrangement of cells is more complex. Here the cells performing the same
function are arranged into tissues, hence is called tissue level of organisation.
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• A still higher level of organisation, i.e., organ level [organ level of organisation] is exhibited by
members of Platyhelminthes and other higher phyla where tissues are grouped together to form
organs, each specialised for a particular function.
• In animals like Annelids, Arthropods, Molluscs, Echinoderms and Chordates, organs have associated
to form functional systems, each system concerned with a specific physiological function. This pattern
is called organ system level of organisation.
• Organ systems in different groups of animals exhibit various patterns of complexities.
• For example, the digestive system in Platyhelminthes (incomplete digestive system) has only a single
opening to the outside of the body that serves as both mouth and anus, and is hence called
incomplete. A complete digestive system has two openings, mouth and anus.
• Similarly, the circulatory system may be of two types: open type in which the blood is pumped out of
the heart and the cells and tissues are directly bathed in it and closed type in which the blood is
circulated through a series of vessels of varying diameters (arteries, veins and capillaries).
Symmetry
• Animals can be categorised on the basis of their symmetry.
• Sponges are mostly asymmetrical, i.e., any plane that passes through the centre does not divide them
into equal halves.
• When any plane passing through the central axis of the body divides the organism into two identical
halves, it is called radial symmetry. Coelenterates, Ctenophores and Echinoderms have this kind of
body plan.
• Animals like Annelids, Arthropods, etc., where the body can be divided into identical left and right
halves in only one plane, exhibit bilateral symmetry.
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Diploblastic and Triploblastic Organisation
• Animals in which the cells are arranged in two embryonic layers, an external ectoderm and an internal
endoderm, are called diploblastic animals, e.g., Coelenterates. An undifferentiated layer, mesoglea,
is present in between the ectoderm and the endoderm.
• Those animals in which the developing embryo has a third germinal layer, mesoderm, in between the
ectoderm and endoderm, are called triploblastic animals (platyhelminthes to chordates).
Coelom
• Presence or absence of a cavity between the body wall and the gut wall is very important in
classification.
• The body cavity, which is lined by mesoderm is called coelom.
• Animals possessing coelom are called coelomates, e.g., Annelids, Molluscs, Arthropods, Echinoderms,
Hemichordates & Chordates.
• In some animals, the body cavity is not lined by mesoderm, instead, the mesoderm is present as
scattered pouches in between the ectoderm and endoderm. Such a body cavity is
called pseudocoelom and the animals possessing them are called pseudocoelomates, e.g.,
Aschelminthes.
• The animals in which the body cavity is absent are called acoelomates, e.g., Platyhelminthes.
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Segmentation
• In some animals, the body is externally and internally divided into segments with a serial repetition of
at least some organs.
• For example, in earthworm, the body shows this pattern called metameric segmentation and the
phenomenon is known as metamerism.
Notochord
• Notochord is a mesodermally [the middle layer of cells or tissues of an embryo, or the parts derived
from this (e.g. cartilage, muscles, and bone)] derived rod-like structure formed on the dorsal side
[posterior] during embryonic development in some animals.
• Animals with notochord are called chordates and those animals which do not form this structure are
called non-chordates, e.g., Porifera to Echinoderms.
Classification of Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is classified into:
1. Phylum – Porifera
2. Phylum – Coelenterata (Cnidaria)
3. Phylum – Ctenophora
4. Phylum – Platyhelminthes
5. Phylum – Aschelminthes (Nemotoda) Annelida
6. Phylum – Arthropoda
7. Phylum – Mollusca
8. Phylum – Echinodermata
9. Phylum – Hemichordata
10. Phylum – Chordata
Phylum – Porifera
• Phylum – Porifera includes organisms with holes.
• They are primitive multicellular animals and have cellular level of organisation.
• They are non-motile animals attached to some solid support.
• The body design involves very minimal differentiation and division into tissues.
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• They are commonly called sponges.
• They are generally marine and mostly asymmetrical animals.
• Sponges have a water transport or canal system.
• Water enters through minute pores (ostia) in the body wall into a central cavity, spongocoel, from
where it goes out through the osculum.
• This pathway of water transport is helpful in food gathering, respiratory exchange and removal of
waste.
• The body is supported by a skeleton made up of spicules or spongin fibres.
• Sexes are not separate (hermaphrodite), i.e., eggs and sperms are produced by the same individual.
• Sponges reproduce asexually by fragmentation and sexually by formation of gametes.
• Fertilisation is internal and development is indirect having a larval stage which is morphologically
distinct from the adult.
Figure: Examples of Porifera : (a) Sycon (b) Euspongia (c) Spongilla
• Examples: Sycon (Scypha), Spongilla (Fresh water sponge) and Euspongia (Bath sponge).
Phylum – Coelenterata (Cnidaria)
• The name cnidaria is derived from the cnidoblasts or cnidocytes (which contain the stinging capsules
or nematocytes) present on the tentacles and the body.
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• Cnidoblasts are used for anchorage, defense and for the capture of prey.
• Coelenterata (Cnidaria) are aquatic, mostly marine sessile or free-swimming radially symmetrical
• They exhibit tissue level of organization [have more body design differentiation than sponges].
• They have a central gastro-vascular cavity with a single opening.
• They are diploblastic.
• Some of these species live in colonies (corals).
• Some have a solitary [living alone] like–span (hydra).
• Some of the cnidarians, e.g., corals have a skeleton composed of calcium carbonate.
• Cnidarians exhibit two basic body forms called polyp and medusa. The former is a sessile and
cylindrical form like Hydra, Adamsia (Sea anemone), etc. whereas, the latter is umbrella-shaped and
free-swimming like Aurelia or jelly fish.
• Those cnidarians which exist in both forms exhibit alternation of generation (Metagenesis), i.e., polyps
produce medusae asexually and medusae form the polyps sexually (e.g., Obelia).
• Jellyfish and sea anemones are common examples.
• Digestion is extracellular and intracellular.
• Examples: Aurelia (jelly fish), Physalia (Portuguese man-of-war), Adamsia (Sea anemone), Pennatula
(Sea-pen), Gorgonia (Sea-fan) and Meandrina (Brain coral).
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Phylum – Platyhelminthes
• Platyhelminthes are more complexly designed than the earlier groups.
• They are bilaterally symmetrical.
• They are triploblastic. This allows outside and inside body linings as well as some organs to be made.
There is thus some degree of tissue formation [organ level of organisation].
• The body is flattened dorsiventrally, meaning from top to bottom, which is why these animals are
called flatworms.
• They may be freeliving or parasitic. Hooks and suckers are present in the parasitic forms.
• Some examples are freeliving animals like planarians, or parasitic animals like
• Parisites are mostly endoparasites found in animals including human beings. Some of them absorb
nutrients from the host directly through their body surface.
• Acoelomate: There is no true internal body cavity or coelom, in which well developed organs can be
accommodated.
• Specialised cells called flame cells help in osmoregulation and excretion.
• Sexes are not separate.
• Fertilisation is internal and development is indirect.
• Some members like Planaria possess high regeneration capacity.
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Phylum – Aschelminthes (Nemotoda)
• Body in aschelminthes (Nemotoda) is cylindrical [bilaterally symmetrical] rather than flattened.
• They exhibit organ-system level of body organization [there are tissues, but no real organs].
• They are triploblastic. A sort of body cavity or a pseudocoelom, is present.
• They are freeliving, aquatic, terrestrial or parasitic in plants and animals.
• These are very familiar as parasitic worms causing diseases, such as the worms causing elephantiasis
(filarial worms) or the worms in the intestines (roundworm or pinworms).
• The body is circular in cross-section, hence, the name roundworms.
• Alimentary canal is complete.
• An excretory tube removes body wastes from the body cavity through the excretory pore.
• Sexes are separate (dioecious), i.e., males and females are distinct.
• Often females are longer than males.
• Fertilisation is internal and development may be direct (the young ones resemble the adult) or
indirect.
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Phylum – Annelida
• Annelida are aquatic [marine and fresh water] or terrestrial; free-living, and sometimes parasitic.
• Their body surface is distinctly marked out into segments or metameres [metamerically
segmented] and, hence, the phylum name Annelida (Latin, annulus: little ring).
• They exhibit organ-system level of body organization.
• They are coelomate [true body cavity]. This allows true organs to be packaged in the body structure.
• They are bilateral symmetric and triploblastic.
• They possess longitudinal and circular muscles which help in locomotion.
• Aquatic annelids like Nereis possess lateral appendages, parapodia, which help in swimming.
• A closed circulatory system is present.
• Nephridia (sing. nephridium) help in osmoregulation and excretion.
• Neural system consists of paired ganglia (sing. ganglion) connected by lateral nerves to a double
ventral nerve cord.
• Nereis, an aquatic form, is dioecious [Sexes are separate], but earthworms and leeches are
monoecious [having both the male and female reproductive organs in the same individual].
• Reproduction is sexual.
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Phylum – Arthropoda
• Insects, arachnids and crustaceans are members of the largest category of creatures on the planet:
arthropods.
• Arthropods have hard, external shells called “exoskeletons,” segmented bodies and jointed legs.
• Some familiar examples are prawns, butterflies, houseflies, spiders, scorpions and crabs and some
• They exhibit organ-system level of organisation.
• They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, segmented and coelomate The coelomic cavity is
blood-filled.
• The body of arthropods is covered by chitinous The body consists of head, thorax and abdomen.
• There is an open circulatory system, and so the blood does not flow in well defined blood vessels.
• Respiratory organs are gills, book gills, book lungs or tracheal system.
• Sensory organs like antennae, eyes (compound and simple), statocysts or balance organs are present.
• Excretion takes place through malpighian tubules.
• They are mostly dioecious.
• Fertilisation is usually internal.
• They are mostly oviparous.
• Development may be direct or indirect.
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Arachnids
• Spiders, harvestmen, mites, ticks and other arachnids are members of the class Arachnida.
Crustaceans
• Crustaceans make up a large group of arthropods that includes animals such as crabs, lobsters, crayfish
and shrimp. They breathe with gills and have two pairs of antennae.
Insects
• In general, insects have three-part bodies, six jointed legs, compound eyes and two antennae.
• Bees, wasps, beetles, mosquitoes, flies, grasshoppers, ants, butterflies and moths, and dragonflies and
damselflies are common types of insects.
Phylum – Mollusca
• Mollusca are the second largest animal phylum. They are terrestrial or aquatic.
• They exhibit organ-system level of organization.
• They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate animals. There is little segmentation.
• They have an open circulatory system and kidney-like organs for excretion. The anterior head region
has sensory tentacles.
• The mouth contains a file-like rasping organ for feeding, called radula.
• They are usually dioecious and oviparous with indirect development.
• Body is covered by a calcareous shell and is unsegmented with a distinct head, muscular foot and
visceral hump. A soft and spongy layer of skin forms a mantle over the visceral hump.
• Examples are octopus, snails and mussels.
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Phylum – Echinodermata
• These animals have an endoskeleton of calcareous ossicles [calcium carbonate structures] and, hence,
the name Echinodermata (spiny skinned organisms).
• They are exclusively free-living marine animals with organ-system level of organisation.
• They are triploblastic with a coelomic cavity [coelomate animals]. The adult echinoderms are radially
symmetrical but larvae are bilaterally symmetrical.
• Water-driven tube system [water vascular system] are used for locomotion, capture and transport of
food and respiration.
• They are triploblastic and coelomate animals.
• Digestive system is complete. An excretory system is absent.
• Sexes are separate. Reproduction is sexual. Fertilisation is usually external.
• Development is indirect with free-swimming larva.
• Examples: Star fish, Sea urchin, Sea lily, Sea cucumber, Brittle star.
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Phylum – Hemichordata
• Hemichordata was earlier considered as a sub-phylum under phylum Chordata. But now it is placed
as a separate phylum under non-chordata.
• This phylum consists of a small group of worm-like marine animals with organ-system level of
organisation.
• They are cylindrical [bilaterally symmetrical], triploblastic, coelomate animals.
• The body is Circulatory system is of open type.
• Respiration takes place through gills.
• Excretory organ is present.
• Sexes are separate. Fertilisation is external. Development is indirect.
• Examples: Balanoglossus and Saccoglossus.
Phylum – Chordata
• Animals belonging to phylum Chordata are fundamentally characterised by the presence of a
notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord and paired pharyngeal gill slits.
• They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate with organ-system level of organisation.
• They possess a post anal tail and a closed circulatory system.
• Phylum Chordata is divided into three subphyla: Urochordata or Tunicata, Cephalochordata and
Vertebrata.
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• Subphyla Urochordata and Cephalochordata are often referred to as protochordates and are
exclusively marine.
• In Urochordata, notochord is present only in larval tail, while in Cephalochordata, it extends from
head to tail region and is persistent throughout their life.
• Examples: Urochordata – Ascidia, Salpa, Doliolum; Cephalochordata – Amphioxus or Lancelet.
All chordates possess the following features:
1. have a notochord
2. have a dorsal nerve cord
3. are triploblastic
4. have paired gill pouches
5. are coelomate.
Vertebrata
• These animals have a true vertebral column and internal skeleton, allowing a completely different
distribution of muscle attachment points to be used for movement.
• The members of subphylum Vertebrata possess notochord during the embryonic period.
• The notochord is replaced by a cartilaginous or bony vertebral column in the adult.
• Thus all vertebrates are chordates but all chordates are not vertebrates.
• Besides the basic chordate characters, vertebrates have a ventral muscular heart with two, three or
four chambers, kidneys for excretion and osmoregulation and paired appendages which may be fins
or limbs.
• Vertibrates are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomic and segmented, with complex
differentiation of body tissues and organs.
Comparison of Chordates and Non-chordates
[Link]. Chordates Non-chordates
1. Notochord present. Notochord absent.
2. Central nervous system is dorsal, hollow and Central nervous system is ventral, solid and
single. double.
3. Pharynx perforated by gill slits. Gill slits are absent.
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4. Heart is ventral. Heart is dorsal (if present).
5. A post-anal part (tail) is present. Post-anal tail is absent.
Phylum – Chordata
• Animals belonging to phylum Chordata are fundamentally characterised by the presence of
a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord and paired pharyngeal [relating to the pharynx] gill slits.
• They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate with organ-system level of organisation.
• Phylum Chordata is divided into three subphyla: Urochordata or
Tunicata, Cephalochordata and Vertebrata.
• Subphyla Urochordata and Cephalochordata are often referred to as protochordates and are
exclusively marine.
• In Urochordata, notochord is present only in larval tail, while in Cephalochordata, it extends from
head to tail region and is persistent throughout their life.
• Examples: Urochordata – Ascidia, Salpa, Doliolum; Cephalochordata – Amphioxus or Lancelet.
Comparison of Chordates and Non-chordates
[Link]. Chordates Non-chordates
1. Notochord present. Notochord absent.
2. Central nervous system is dorsal, hollow and Central nervous system is ventral, solid and
single. double.
3. Pharynx perforated by gill slits. Gill slits are absent.
4. Heart is ventral. Heart is dorsal (if present).
5. A post-anal part (tail) is present. Post-anal tail is absent.
Vertebrata
• These animals have a true vertebral column and internal skeleton, allowing a completely different
distribution of muscle attachment points to be used for movement.
• The members of subphylum Vertebrata possess notochord during the embryonic period.
• The notochord is replaced by a cartilaginous or bony vertebral column in the adult.
• Thus all vertebrates are chordates but all chordates are not vertebrates.
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• Besides the basic chordate characters, vertebrates have a ventral muscular heart with two, three or
four chambers, kidneys for excretion and osmoregulation and paired appendages which may be fins
or limbs.
• Vertibrates are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomic and segmented, with complex
differentiation of body tissues and organs.
Animal Kingdom 18
Division In Vertebrata
Basic Concepts
Viviparous and Oviparous Animals
• We have learnt that some animals give birth to young ones while some animals lay eggs which later
develop into young ones.
• The animals which give birth to young ones are called viviparous animals.
• Those animals which lay eggs are called oviparous animals.
• In some animals, the young ones may look very different from the adults. Recall the life cycle of the
silkworm (egg → larva or caterpillar → pupa → adult) (egg → tadpole (larva) → adult). The
transformation of the larva into an adult through drastic changes is called metamorphosis.
Warm Blooded vs. Cold Blooded Animals
Warm Blooded or Endotherms or Homoiothermous Cold Blooded or Ectotherms or Poikilothermous
animals Animals
• All mammals and birds with few exceptions • All reptiles, insects, arachnids, amphibians
are warm blooded. [Bats, Echidnas, Mole and fish are cold blooded.
Rats etc. cannot regulate their body
temperature]
• They maintain a constant internal body • Their body temperature changes according
temperature irrespective of external to the external environment. [If a cold
environment. [Can regulate their body blooded animal is taken to the equator its
temperature by generating their own heat
Animal Kingdom 19
when they are in a cooler environment, and body temperature increases and if taken to
by cooling themselves when they are in a the poles its body temperature decreases]
hotter environment]
• They can survive in a wide of environments • They cannot survive in a wide of
as they are able to regulate their body environments. [Tropical animals cannot
temperature. survive in the polar region and vice versa]
• They require a lot of food for their survival. • Most of the food consumed is converted
Most of the food consumed is utilized to into body mass. So they need less food
maintain a constant body temperature. compared to warm blooded animals.
• They are active in both warm and cold • They are active in warm environments and
environments. are very sluggish in cold environments.
• To stay cool, warm-blooded animals usually • Cold-blooded animals often like to bask in
sweat. Animals like elephants use their ears the sun to warm up and increase their
to cool their body [large, thin ears which metabolism.
loose heat quickly].
• Some cold-blooded animals, such as bees or
• Some warm-blooded animals, especially dragonflies, shiver to stay warm when in a
birds, migrate from colder to warmer cold environment.
regions in the winter.
• Mammals have hair, fur and birds have
feathers to help keep them warm.
• Warm-blooded animals can also shiver to
generate more heat when they get too cold.
• Constant body temperature provide a nice • Constantly changing body temperatures
warm environment for viruses, bacteria and make life more difficult for the parasites.
parasites to live in.
Hibernation
• Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in few endotherms [warm blooded
animals – bear, rodents] and ectotherms [many reptiles like snakes, turtles and amphibians like frogs].
Snakes, lizards, toads, frogs, salamanders and most turtles will mostly hibernate during harsh winters.
• Hibernating animals usually retreat to a den, a burrow, or a hollow log for protection and shelter.
• During “true hibernation,” the animal’s body temperature drops, and its rate of breathing slows down.
These hibernating animals are very difficult to awaken.
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• Some warm-blooded animals such as bears, rodents etc. hibernate during extreme weather seasons
and unfavorable conditions.
• During hibernation these animals live off of stored body fat and can drop their body temperatures
significantly.
• Most animals will eat large amounts of food before hibernating.
Class – Cyclostomata
• All living members of the class Cyclostomata are ectoparasites [ives on the outside of its host] on some
fishes.
• They have an elongated body bearing 6-15 pairs of gill slits for respiration.
• Cyclostomes have a sucking and circular mouth without jaws.
• Their body is devoid of scales and paired fins.
• Cranium and vertebral column are cartilaginous.
• Circulation is of closed type.
• Cyclostomes are marine but migrate for spawning [release or deposit eggs] to fresh water.
• After spawning, within a few days, they die. Their larvae, after metamorphosis [transformation from
an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages. Example: Larvae → Tadpole →
Frog], return to the ocean.
• Examples: Petromyzon (Lamprey) and Myxine (Hagfish).
Class – Pisces
• These are fish. Their skin is covered with scales/plates. They lay eggs [oviporous].
• They obtain oxygen dissolved in water by using gills.
• The body is streamlined, and a muscular tail is used for movement.
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• They are cold-blooded and their hearts have only two chambers, unlike the four that humans have.
• Some fish skeletons are made entirely of cartilage [Chondrichthyes], such as sharks, and some with a
skeleton made of both bone and cartilage [Osteichthyes].
Chondrichthyes
• They are marine animals with streamlined body and have cartilaginous endoskeleton. Mouth is
located ventrally.
• Notochord is persistent throughout life.
• Gill slits are separate and without operculum (gill cover).
• The skin is tough, containing minute placoid scales.
• Teeth are modified placoid scales which are backwardly directed.
• Their jaws are very powerful.
• These animals are predaceous [shark].
• Due to the absence of air bladder, they have to swim constantly to avoid sinking.
• Heart is two-chambered (one auricle and one ventricle).
• Some of them have electric organs (e.g., Torpedo) and some possess poison sting (e.g., Trygon).
• They are cold-blooded (poikilothermous) animals, i.e., they lack the capacity to regulate their body
temperature.
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• Sexes are separate. In males pelvic fins bear claspers.
• They have internal fertilisation and many of them are viviparous [give birth to young ones].
• Examples: Scoliodon (Dog fish), Pristis (Saw fish), Carchaiodon (Great white shark), Trygon (Sting ray).
Osteichthyes
• It includes both marine and fresh water fishes with bony endoskeleton.
• Their body is streamlined. Mouth is mostly terminal.
• They have four pairs of gills which are covered by an operculum on each side.
• Skin is covered with cycloid/ctenoid scales.
• Air bladder is present which regulates buoyancy.
• Heart is two- chambered (one auricle and one ventricle).
• They are cold-blooded
• Sexes are separate.
• Fertilisation is usually external.
• They are mostly oviparous and development is direct.
• Examples: Flying fish, Sea horse, Fighting fish, Angel fish etc.
Class – Amphibia
• As the name indicates (Gr., Amphi : dual, bios, life), amphibians can live in aquatic as well as terrestrial
habitats.
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• The amphibian skin is moist without scales [mucus glands in the skin]. 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.
• They have a three-chambered heart (two auricles and one ventricle). These are cold-blooded
• Respiration is through gills, lungs and through
• Respiration is by gills, lungs and through skin.
• Sexes are separate. Fertilisation is external.
• They are oviparous and development is indirect.
• Examples: Toad, Frog), Tree frog, Salamander, Limbless amphibia.
Class – Reptilia
• The class name refers to their creeping or crawling mode of locomotion (Latin, repere or reptum, to
creep or crawl).
• They are mostly terrestrial animals and their body is covered by dry and cornified skin, epidermal
scales or scutes. Snakes and lizards shed their scales as skin cast.
• 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 [cold-blooded animals].
• They lay eggs with tough coverings and do not need to lay their eggs in water, unlike amphibians.
• Sexes are separate.
• Fertilisation is internal.
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• They are oviparous and development is direct.
• Examples: Turtle), Tortoise, Chameleon (Tree lizard), Garden lizard, Crocodile, Alligator, Wall lizard,
Poisonous snakes – Naja (Cobra), Bangarus (Krait), Vipera (Viper).
Class – Aves
• They have a four-chambered heart. They breathe through lungs. All birds fall in this category.
• The characteristic features of Aves (birds) are the presence of feathers and most of them can fly except
flightless birds (e.g., Ostrich). 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).
• The digestive tract of birds has additional chambers, the crop and gizzard.
• 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 : Crow, Pigeon, Ostrich), Neophron (Vulture) etc..
Class – Mammalia
• Mammals are warm-blooded animals with four-chambered hearts.
• Most mammals familiar to us produce live young ones. However, a few of them, like the Platypus and
the Echidna lay eggs, and some, like kangaroos give birth to very poorly developed young ones.
• 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.
• Heart is four-chambered. They are homoiothermous [warm-blooded]. Respiration is by lungs.
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• Sexes are separate and fertilisation is internal.
• They are viviparous with few exceptions and development is direct.
• Examples: Oviparous – Platypus; Viviparous – Kangaroo, Flying fox), Delphinus (Common dolphin),
Balaenoptera (Blue whale), etc.
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