ANIMAL CLASSIFICATION – COLORFUL MASTER
CHART WITH DIAGRAMS
1. BASIS OF MODERN ANIMAL CLASSIFICATION
CRITERIA TYPES EXAMPLES
Grade of Organization Protoplasmic Amoeba
Cellular Porifera
Cell–Tissue Cnidaria
Tissue–Organ Platyhelminthes
Organ–System Human, Frog
Body Symmetry Asymmetrical Sponges
Radial Starfish, Jellyfish
Bilateral Human, Fish
Germ Layers Diploblastic Cnidaria
Triploblastic All higher animals
Body Cavity Acoelomate Porifera
Pseudocoelomate Roundworm
Eucoelomate Earthworm
2. KINGDOM ANIMALIA – PHYLUM WITH CHARACTERS
PHYLUM IMPORTANT CHARACTERS EXAMPLES
Porifera Pores, collar cells, asymmetrical Sycon, Bath sponge
Cnidaria Tentacles, cnidoblasts, radial symmetry Hydra, Jellyfish
Platyhelminthes Flat, acoelomate, hermaphrodite Planaria
Aschelminthes Round, pseudocoelomate, unisexual Ascaris
Annelida Segmented body, setae Earthworm
Arthropoda Jointed legs, exoskeleton Cockroach
Mollusca Soft body, shell Snail, Octopus
Echinodermata Spiny skin, tube feet Starfish
Hemichordata Proboscis, collar, trunk Balanoglossus
Chordata Notochord, gill slits All vertebrates
3. PHYLUM CHORDATA – SUBPHYLA
Urochordata – Tail notochord in larva | Herdmania
Cephalochordata – Notochord throughout life | Amphioxus
Vertebrata – Backbone present | All higher animals
4. VERTEBRATA – 6 CLASSES
CLASS KEY FEATURES EXAMPLES
Cyclostomata Jawless, sucker mouth Petromyzon
Pisces Fins, gills Rohu, Shark
Amphibia Land & water life Frog
Reptilia Scales, claws Lizard
Aves Feathers, wings Pigeon
Mammalia Hair, mammary glands Human
5. SIMPLE DIAGRAM REPRESENTATION (Text-Based)
NON-CHORDATES → Porifera → Cnidaria → Platyhelminthes → Aschelminthes → Annelida →
Arthropoda → Mollusca → Echinodermata → Hemichordata CHORDATES → Urochordata →
Cephalochordata → Vertebrata → Pisces → Amphibia → Reptilia → Aves → Mammalia