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Animal Kingdom Classification Guide

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12 views5 pages

Animal Kingdom Classification Guide

Uploaded by

kumarinpsreeja
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Classification Overview

Organisms in the Animal Kingdom are classified based on:

 Levels of organization

 Body symmetry

 Germ layers (Diploblastic / Triploblastic)

 Coelom (Body cavity)

 Segmentation

 Notochord presence

Key Features for Classification

Feature Types

Level of Cellular (e.g., Porifera), Tissue (e.g., Cnidaria), Organ


Organization system (e.g., Mollusca)

Asymmetrical (e.g., Sponges), Radial (e.g., Cnidaria),


Symmetry
Bilateral (e.g., Platyhelminthes onwards)

Diploblastic (2 layers – ectoderm & endoderm),


Germ Layers
Triploblastic (3 layers – ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm)

Acoelomate (e.g., Platyhelminthes), Pseudocoelomate


Coelom
(e.g., Aschelminthes), Coelomate (e.g., Annelida onward)

Present (e.g., Annelida, Arthropoda), Absent (e.g.,


Segmentation
Platyhelminthes)

Notochord Present in Chordates, absent in Non-Chordates

🔹 Phylum-wise Summary

1. Porifera (Sponges)

 Cellular level of organization

 Asymmetrical

 Body perforated with pores (ostia)

 Intracellular digestion

 Example: Sycon, Spongilla, Euspongia


2. Cnidaria (Coelenterata)

 Tissue level organization

 Radial symmetry

 Diploblastic

 Cnidoblasts (stinging cells) on tentacles

 Examples: Hydra, Jellyfish (Aurelia), Sea anemone

3. Ctenophora (Comb jellies)

 Radial symmetry, diploblastic

 Eight rows of ciliated plates

 Bioluminescent

 Example: Pleurobrachia, Ctenoplana

4. Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)

 Triploblastic, acoelomate

 Bilateral symmetry

 Flattened body

 Mostly parasitic

 Example: Planaria, Liver fluke, Tapeworm

5. Aschelminthes (Nematoda or Roundworms)

 Triploblastic, pseudocoelomate

 Bilateral symmetry

 Alimentary canal complete

 Dioecious

 Example: Ascaris, Wuchereria, Ancylostoma

6. Annelida (Segmented Worms)


 True coelom (coelomate), segmented body

 Closed circulatory system

 Nephridia for excretion

 Examples: Earthworm, Leech, Nereis

7. Arthropoda

 Largest phylum

 Jointed appendages

 Exoskeleton made of chitin

 Open circulatory system

 Example: Insects, Crab, Prawn, Scorpion

8. Mollusca

 Second largest phylum

 Soft body with shell (mostly)

 Muscular foot, mantle

 Coelomate, open circulation (except octopus)

 Example: Pila, Octopus, Unio

9. Echinodermata

 Spiny-skinned animals

 Adult – radial symmetry; Larva – bilateral

 Water vascular system

 Tube feet for locomotion

 Example: Starfish, Sea urchin, Sea cucumber

10. Hemichordata

 Possess a proboscis, collar, and trunk

 Notochord present only in larval stage


 Marine, worm-like

 Example: Balanoglossus

11. Chordata – Key Features

 Notochord

 Dorsal hollow nerve cord

 Pharyngeal gill slits

 Post-anal tail

 Subphyla: Urochordata, Cephalochordata, Vertebrata

➤ Vertebrata Classification:

Class Key Features & Examples

Cyclostoma
Jawless fish – Petromyzon, Myxine
ta

Pisces Bony/cartilaginous fish – Rohu, Shark

Moist skin, dual life – Frog, Toad,


Amphibia
Salamander

Reptilia Dry scales, lay eggs – Lizard, Snake, Turtle

Aves Feathers, flight, warm-blooded – Pigeon, Owl

Mammary glands, hair, warm-blooded –


Mammalia
Human, Bat

🧠 Tips to Remember

 Use mnemonics like:


"Porous Cnidarians Can Play All Amazing Musical Euphonies
Happily Cheerfully"
(Phyla: Porifera, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Platyhelminthes,
Aschelminthes, Annelida, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Hemichordata,
Chordata)

📘 Diagrams to Practice:
 Body plan of Earthworm, Cockroach, and Frog (NCERT)

 Flowchart of classification

 Comparative table of chordates vs non-chordates

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