How do you classify different species?

Animal evolution began in the ocean over 600 million years ago with tiny creatures that probably do not
resemble any living organism today. Since then, animals have evolved into a highly-diverse kingdom.
Although over one million extant (currently living) species of animals have been identified, scientists are
continually discovering more species as they explore ecosystems around the world. The number of
extant species is estimated to be between 3 and 30 million.

But what is an animal? While we can easily identify dogs, birds, fish, spiders, and worms as animals,
other organisms, such as corals and sponges, are not as easy to classify. Animals vary in complexity, from
sea sponges to crickets to chimpanzees, and scientists are faced with the difficult task of classifying them
within a unified system. They must identify traits that are common to all animals as well as traits that
can be used to distinguish among related groups of animals. The animal classification system
characterizes animals based on their anatomy, morphology, evolutionary history, features of
embryological development, and genetic makeup. This classification scheme is constantly developing as
new information about species arises. Understanding and classifying the great variety of living species
help us better understand how to conserve the diversity of life on earth.

Even though members of the animal kingdom are incredibly diverse, most animals share certain features
that distinguish them from organisms in other kingdoms. All animals are eukaryotic, multicellular
organisms, and almost all animals have a complex tissue structure with differentiated and specialized
tissues. Most animals are motile, at least during certain life stages. All animals require a source of food
and are, therefore, heterotrophic: ingesting other living or dead organisms. This feature distinguishes
them from autotrophic organisms, such as most plants, which synthesize their own nutrients through
photosynthesis. As heterotrophs, animals may be carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, or parasites. Most
animals reproduce sexually with the offspring passing through a series of developmental stages that
establish a fixed body plan. The body plan refers to the morphology of an animal, determined by
developmental cues.

Animal Classification is a system that sort species based on the animals features. Two main ways to base
this sorting include:

1. Animal Characterization Based on Body Symmetry

2. Animal Characterization Based on Features of Embryological Development

Taxonomic System – basic classification system for different species.

 § Domain
 § Kingdom
 § Phylum
 § Class
 § Order
 § Family
 § Genus
 § Species
Symmetry:
At a very basic level of classification, true animals can be largely divided into three groups based on the
type of symmetry of their body plan: radially symmetrical, bilaterally symmetrical, and asymmetrical.
Only a few animal groups display radial symmetry, while asymmetry is a unique feature of phyla Porifera
(sponges). All types of symmetry are well suited to meet the unique demands of a particular animal's
lifestyle.

Radial Symmetry:
Radial symmetry is the arrangement of body parts around a central axis, like rays on a sun or pieces in a
pie. Radially symmetrical animals have top and bottom surfaces, but no left and right sides, or front and
back. The two halves of a radially symmetrical animal may be described as the side with a mouth ("oral
side") and the side without a mouth ("aboral side"). This form of symmetry marks the body plans of
animals in the phyla Ctenophora (comb jellies) and Cnidaria (corals, sea anemones, and other jellies).
Radial symmetry enables these sea creatures, which may be sedentary or only capable of slow
movement or floating, to experience the environment equally from all directions.

Bilateral Symmetry:
Bilateral symmetry involves the division of the animal through a sagittal plane, resulting in two mirror-
image, right and left halves, such as those of a butterfly, crab, or human body. Animals with bilateral
symmetry have a "head" and "tail" (anterior vs. posterior), front and back (dorsal vs. ventral), and right
and left sides. All true animals, except those with radial symmetry, are bilaterally symmetrical. The
evolution of bilateral symmetry and, therefore, the formation of anterior and posterior (head and tail)
ends promoted a phenomenon called cephalization, which refers to the collection of an organized
nervous system at the animal's anterior end. In contrast to radial symmetry, which is best suited for
stationary or limited-motion lifestyles, bilateral symmetry allows for streamlined and directional motion.
In evolutionary terms, this simple form of symmetry promoted active mobility and increased
sophistication of resource-seeking and predator-prey relationships.

Animals in the phylum Echinodermata (such as sea stars, sand dollars, and sea urchins) display radial
symmetry as adults, but their larval stages exhibit bilateral symmetry. This is termed secondary radial
symmetry. They are believed to have evolved from bilaterally symmetrical animals; thus, they are
classified as bilaterally symmetrical.

Asymmetry:
Only members of the phylum Porifera (sponges) have no body plan symmetry. There are some fish
species, such as flounder, that lack symmetry as adults. However, the larval fish are bilaterally
symmetrical.

Complex Tissue Structure:

As multicellular organisms, animals differ from plants and fungi because their cells don't have cell walls;
their cells may be embedded in an extracellular matrix (such as bone, skin, or connective tissue); and
their cells have unique structures for intercellular communication (such as gap junctions). In addition,
animals possess unique tissues, absent in fungi and plants, which allow coordination (nerve tissue) and
motility (muscle tissue). Animals are also characterized by specialized connective tissues that provide
structural support for cells and organs. This connective tissue constitutes the extracellular surroundings
of cells and is made up of organic and inorganic materials. In vertebrates, bone tissue is a type of
connective tissue that supports the entire body structure. The complex bodies and activities of
vertebrates demand such supportive tissues. Epithelial tissues cover, line, protect, and secrete; these
tissues include the epidermis of the integument: the lining of the digestive tract and trachea. They also
make up the ducts of the liver and glands of advanced animals.

The animal kingdom is divided into Parazoa (sponges) and Eumetazoa (all other animals). As very simple
animals, the organisms in group Parazoa ("beside animal") do not contain true specialized tissues.
Although they do possess specialized cells that perform different functions, those cells are not organized
into tissues. These organisms are considered animals since they lack the ability to make their own food.
Animals with true tissues are in the group Eumetazoa ("true animals"). When we think of animals, we
usually think of Eumetazoans, since most animals fall into this category.

The different types of tissues in true animals are responsible for carrying out specific functions for the
organism. This differentiation and specialization of tissues is part of what allows for such incredible
animal diversity. For example, the evolution of nerve tissues and muscle tissues has resulted in animals'
unique ability to rapidly sense and respond to changes in their environment. This allows animals to
survive in environments where they must compete with other species to meet their nutritional
demands.

Embryonic Development:
Animals may be characterized by the presence of a coelom, formation of the mouth, and type of cell
cleavage during embryonic development.

Most animal species undergo a separation of tissues into germ layers during embryonic development.
These germ layers are formed during gastrulation, developing into the animal's specialized tissues and
organs. Animals develop either two or three embryonic germs layers. Radially-symmetrical animals are
diploblasts, developing two germ layers: an inner layer (endoderm) and an outer layer (ectoderm).
Diploblasts have a non-living layer between the endoderm and ectoderm. Bilaterally-symmetrical
animals are called triploblasts, developing three tissue layers: an inner layer (endoderm), an outer layer
(ectoderm), and a middle layer (mesoderm).

Germ Layers:
Each of the three germ layers in a blastula, or developing ball of cells, becomes particular body tissues
and organs. The endoderm gives rise to the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and the lining of the
digestive tract, as well as to the lining of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs of the respiratory tract. The
ectoderm develops into the outer epithelial covering of the body surface and the central nervous
system. The mesoderm, the third germ layer forming between the endoderm and ectoderm in
triploblasts, gives rise to all muscle tissues (including the cardiac tissues and muscles of the intestines),
connective tissues such as the skeleton and blood cells, and most other visceral organs such as the
kidneys and the spleen.
Presence or Absence of a Coelom:
Triploblasts can be differentiated into three categories: those that do not develop an internal body
cavity called a coelom (acoelomates), those with a true coelom (eucoelomates) which is lined with
mesoderm, and those with "false" coeloms (pseudocoelomates). Pseudocoelomates also have a body
cavity, but it is sandwiched between the endoderm and mesoderm.

1. Acoelomates

Triploblasts that do not develop a coelom are called acoelomates: their mesoderm region is completely
filled with tissue. Flatworms in the phylum Platyhelminthes are acoelomates.

2. Eucoelomates

Eucoelomates (or coelomates) have a true coelom that arises entirely within the mesoderm germ layer
and is lined by an epithelial membrane. This coelomic cavity represents a fluid-filled space that lies
between the visceral organs and the body wall. It houses the digestive system, kidneys, reproductive
organs, and heart, and it contains the circulatory system. The epithelial membrane also lines the organs
within the coelom, connecting and holding them in position while allowing them some free motion.
Annelids, mollusks, arthropods, echinoderms, and chordates are all eucoelomates. The coelom also
provides space for the diffusion of gases and nutrients, as well as body flexibility and improved animal
motility. The coelom also provides cushioning and shock absorption for the major organ systems, while
allowing organs to move freely for optimal development and placement.

3. Pseudocoelomates

The pseudocoelomates have a coelom derived partly from mesoderm and partly from endoderm.
Although still functional, these are considered false coeloms. The phylum Nematoda (roundworms) is an
example of a pseudocoelomate.

Embryonic Development of the Mouth:

Bilaterally symmetrical, tribloblastic eucoelomates can be further divided into two groups based on
differences in their early embryonic development. These two groups are separated based on which
opening of the digestive cavity develops first: mouth (protostomes) or anus (deuterostomes). The word
protostome comes from the Greek word meaning "mouth first.” The protostomes include arthropods,
mollusks, and annelids. Deuterostome originates from the word meaning "mouth second.”
Deuterostomes include more complex animals such as chordates, but also some simple animals such as
echinoderms.

Development of the Coelom:

The coelom of most protostomes is formed through a process called schizocoely, when a solid mass of
the mesoderm splits apart and forms the hollow opening of the coelom. Deuterostomes differ in that
their coelom forms through a process called enterocoely, when the mesoderm develops as pouches that
are pinched off from the endoderm tissue. These pouches eventually fuse to form the mesoderm, which
then gives rise to the coelom.
Embryonic Cleavage:
Protostomes undergo spiral cleavage: the cells of one pole of the embryo are rotated and, thus,
misaligned with respect to the cells of the opposite pole. This spiral cleavage is due to the oblique angle
of the cleavage. Protostomes also undergo determinate cleavage: the developmental fate of each
embryonic cell is pre-determined. Deuterostomes undergo radial cleavage where the cleavage axes are
either parallel or perpendicular to the polar axis, resulting in the alignment of the cells between the two
poles. Unlike protostomes, deuterostomes undergo indeterminate cleavage: cells remain
undifferentiated until a later developmental stage. This characteristic of deuterostomes is reflected in
the existence of familiar embryonic stem cells, which have the ability to develop into any cell type.