Animal Kingdom

Animal kingdom includes millions of species so it is important to classify them

to make the study easy. In relation to that there are several levels of
organisation from simple to complex and different characteristics and criteria
has been used to classify an animal in appropriate hierarchical category.

Basis of Classification
Levels of organisation: These levels are usually the patterns in which the organisms can be
organised from simple cellular level to complex organ system level.
• Cellular level of organisation: Cells are present as loose aggregates (Sponges)
• Tissue level of organisation: Cells arranged themselves to form tissues (Coelenterates)
• Organ level of organisation: Tissues arranged themselves to form organs
(Platyhelminthes)
• Organ system level of organisation:
Different organs work together to form a
system of organs. e.g. Annelids, Arthropods,
Molluscs, Echinoderms and Chordates
• Open circulatory system: blood is pumped straight from the heart into cells and tissue.
• Closed circulatory system: capillaries, veins, and arteries carry blood throughout the body

Symmetry: It can be of three types:

• Asymmetrical: organisms which do not have any plane of symmetry (Sponges)
• Radial: Any plane passing through central axis can divide the organism in two equal
halves. (Ctenophores, ctenophores and echinoderms)
• Bilateral: Only one plane can divide the body into two equal halves. (Arthropods ,
annelids,)

Embryonic layers and body cavity: These are two types

• Diploblastic organisms: Two embryonic layers are present; ectoderm and endoderm
(Coelenterates)
• Triploblastic organisms: Three embryonic layers are present; ectoderm, endoderm and
mesoderm (Platyhelminthes to chordates)

Coelom: Body cavity lined by mesoderm is called coelom.

• Acoelomates: Organisms which do not possess a body cavity. (Platyhelminthes)
• Coelomates: Organisms which possess a body cavity. (Molluscs , annelids, arthropods,
echinoderms, hemichordates and chordates )
• Pseudocoelomates: Organisms having a body cavity in which mesoderm is present as
scattered pouches. (Aschelminthes)

Page1|6
Animal kingdom

Segmentation: Animals in which the body is divided into segments internally and externally with
repetition of some organs.
• Body of earthworm exhibiting metameric segmentation the phenomenon is known as
metamerism.

Notochords: Rod like structure formed on the dorsal side during embryonic development is
called notochord.
On the basis of presence or absence of notochord, the animals can be divided into two groups:
• Chordates having notochord
• Non-Chordates which do not have notochord. (Porifera to echinoderms)

Criteria for classification of kingdom animalia:

Phylum: Porifera (Sponges) : Asymmetrical with relation to the cellular level of organization,
marine
• Gaseous exchange, food intake, and excretion all happen via the water transport system.
• Water enters through ostia pores and exits the body through the osculum, a central
hollow termed the spongocoel.
• Choanocytes or collar cells coat the inside of the sponge. intracellular digestion
• A body's skeleton is composed of spicules or sponge-like fibers.
• both sexually and asexually reproduce by dividing into gametes. Internal fertilization
occurs, and the zygote develops through a separate larval stage.
• Examples include Euspongia (a bath sponge), Spongilla (a freshwater sponge), Sycon.

Phylum: Cnidaria, or Coelenterata : Aquatic, sessile or free-swimming, diploblastic, radially

symmetrical, and acoelomate, with a tissue level of organization
• The hypostome, the only orifice in the core gastro-vascular cavity, is encircled by sensory
tentacles.
• Nematocysts are found on the tentacles, which are covered in cilioblasts.

Page2|6
Animal kingdom

• Corals' skeleton is made of calcium carbonate.

• A polyp is a cylindrical, sessile form, such as Hydra or Adamsia.
• Medusa is a free-swimming creature with an umbrella shape, such as Aurelia (jellyfish).
• Metagenesis, or the alternation of generations, occurs in some coelenterates, such as
Obelia. Medusae create polyps sexually, while polyp forms produce medusae asexually.
• Examples include the sea anemone Adamsia, the sea fan Gorgonia, the Portuguese man
of war Physalia, and the brain coral Meandrina.

Phylum: Ctenophora (also known as comb jellies or sea walnuts). Acoelomate, marine,
diploblastic, radially symmetric, and tissue level of organization
• There are eight rows of ciliated comb plates on the outside.
• Both external and intracellular digestion occurs.
• There is bioluminescence
• Fertilization during sexual reproduction occurs externally and indirectly.
• Examples: Pleurobrachia and Ctenoplana

Phylum: Platyhelminthes (flatworms): mostly endoparasites, with a dorsoventral flattened

body, bilateral symmetry, triploblastic morphology, and acoelomate organ level of organization
• Parasites have suckers and hooks on them.
• There are flame cells, which aid in excretion and osmoregulation.
• With several larval stages, internal fertilization and indirect development
• Planaria have the ability to regrow
• Examples include Taenia (tapeworm) and Fasciola (liver fluke).

Phylum: Aschelminthes (roundworms) :Terrestrial or aquatic, free-living or parasitic

• round in cross-section, triploblastic, bilaterally symmetric, pseudocoelomate, and organ
system organized
• The pharynx is made of muscular pharynx and the alimentary canal is complete.
• Females are longer than men in dioeciousness.
• Examples include Wuchereria (Filarial worm), Ascaris (roundworm), and Ancylostoma
(hookworm).

Phylum: Annelida :They can be terrestrial or aquatic (freshwater and marine); they can also be
free-living and occasionally parasitic.
• Organ system organization that is bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, and coelomate
• Because of their clearly defined segments or metameres on their body surface, they
belong to the phylum Annelida (Latin: annulus, small ring).
• The aquatic animal Nereis has parapodia, which are appendages that aid in swimming.
closed blood vessel
• Nephridia is needed for excretion and osmoregulation.
• There are paired ganglia, which are linked by lateral nerves to the double ventral nerve
cord.

Page3|6
Animal kingdom

• Sexual reproduction occurs. While earthworms and leeches are monoecious, nereis are
dioecious.
• Examples include the earthworm Pheretima, Nereis, the bloodsucking leech Hirudinaria

Phylum: Arthropoda : comprising two thirds of all known creatures, the largest phylum
• Organ system organization that is bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, and coelomate
• Their chitinous exoskeleton covers their entire body.
• The three sections of their body are the head, thorax, and abdomen.
• They have jointed appendages
• With the trachea, gills, book gills, and book lungs, one may breathe.
• The cardiovascular system is an open one. There are statocysts, or balancing organs.
• Malpighian tubules facilitate excretion. mostly oviparous, dioecious
• E.g. Two commercially significant species are Apis (honey bees) and Bombyx (silkworms).
Mosquitoes such as Anopheles, Aedes, .

Phylum Mollusca : Second largest animal phylum

• Organ system organization that is bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, and coelomate
• Unsegmented body with a calcareous shell covering it
• There is a distinct head, a muscular foot, and a visceral hump.
• Feathery gills carry out excretory and respiratory processes.
• The radula is an organ used for feeding that rasps.
• Examples include Octopus (devilfish), Loligo (squid), and Pinctada (pearl oyster) etc..

Phylum: Echinodermata: adults are radially symmetrical, whereas larvae are bilaterally
symmetrical
• The existence of the water vascular system, which facilitates breathing, eating, and
movement, is a defining attribute.
• Dioecious, utilizing indirect development by external fertilization
• Examples include the sea flower Antedon, the starfish Asterias, and the sea urchin Echinus.

Phylum: Hemichordata : Stomochord, a structure like the notochord, is present

• A small number of worm-like marine invertebrates .
• cylindrical body with a collar, a lengthy trunk, and a proboscis
• There are gills and open-type circulation.
• The organ that excretes called the proboscis gland. Dioecious, utilizing indirect
development by external fertilization
• E.g. Saccoglossus and Balanoglossus

Phylum: Chordata : A notochord, paired gill slits, and a dorsal hollow nerve cord are
distinguishing characteristics.
• Organ system organization that is bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, and coelomate
• There is a post-anal tail and the circulatory system is closed.

Page4|6
Animal kingdom

• Phylum chordata has been divided into three sub-phylums: Urochordata or Tunicata,
Cephalochordata and Vertebrata.
• Protochordates are the common term for the subphyla Urochordata and
Cephalochordata.
• Urochordata: Notochord present in larval tail only. (Salpa, Ascidia)
• Cephalochordata: Notochord extends from head to tail. (Branchiostoma)
• Vertebrata: Notochord is present during embryonic period and is replaced by bony
vertebral column. (Naja, pavo).

Vertebrates are divided into further Classes:

Class I : Cyclostomata:
• These organisms are usually present as
ectoparasites on another fishes
• Elongated body bearing 6-15 pairs of gill
slits.
• Sucking and circular mouth, without jaws.
• No scales present
• Contain paired fins, cranium and vertebral
column.
• Examples are Petromyzon and Myxine.

Class II: Cartilaginous fishes, or chondrichthyes

• Cartilaginous endoskeleton: the ventral
side of the mouth
• Gill does not have an operculum.
• The notochord is a lifelong feature.
• The skin has placoid scales.
• It lacks air bladders, thus it swims continuously to keep from sinking.
• heart with two chambers and poikilothermia (cold blood)
• Torpedo possesses electric organs, and Trygon stings with poison.
• Examples include the dogfish Scoliodon, the stingray Trygon, the sawfish Pristis, and the
great white shark Carcharodon.

Class III: Bony fish, or Osteichthyes

• Four pairs of gills with an operculum, a skeletal endoskeleton, and a streamlined body
Skin is coated in scales called cycloids.
• with a two-chambered heart and an air bladder for buoyancy
• Oviparous, externally fertilized, and directly developing, the sexes are distinct
• E.g. Marine: Exocoetus (flying fish), Hippocampus (sea horse) , Freshwater: Catla (Katla),
Clarias (Magur), and Labeo (Rohu).

Page5|6
Animal kingdom

CLASS -Amphibia:
• exist in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.
• The body is composed of the head and trunk. The ear is represented by a tympanum. The
reproductive, urinary, and alimentary canals open into the cloaca, a shared chamber that
is externally accessible.
• Respiration occurs through the skin, lungs, and gills.
• Three chambers make up the heart: two auricles and one ventricle. Cold blooded.
• The sexes are distinct. External fertilization occurs. Examples are Ichthyophis (limbless
amphibia), Hyla (tree frog), Bufo (toad), Rana (frog), and Salamandra (salamander).

Class: Reptilia
• mostly terrestrial creatures with dry, cornified skin, scutes, or epidermal scales covering
their bodies There are no exterior ear holes on them.
• Normally, the heart has three chambers, but in crocodiles, it has four.
• The sexes are distinct. Internal fertilization occurs.
• Examples include the garden lizard Calotes, the turtle Chelone, , the crocodile Crocodilus,
and Hemidactylus (Wall lizard), Vipera (Viper), Bangarus (Krait), and Naja (Cobra) etc.

Class: Aves
• The majority of aves (birds) There is a beak on them, to become wings, the forelimbs are
altered.
• The long bones have air cavities and a completely ossified (bony) endoskeleton
(pneumatic).
• The heart has four chambers altogether. They can sustain a steady body temperature
since they are warm-blooded (homoiothermous) creatures.
• Lungs are used for respiration. The sexes are distinct. Internal fertilization occurs.
• Examples include the crow Corvus, the penguin Columba, the parrot Psittacula etc.

Class: Mammalia
• The existence of milk-producing glands, or mammary glands, which nurture the young,
is the most distinctive feature of mammals.
• Mammals' skin is special in that it has hair. There are external ears, or pinnae.
• A four chambered heart.
• Lungs are used for respiration. There is internal fertilization and segregation of the sexes.
• Ornithorhynchus (Platypus) is an example of an oviparous animal; viviparous animals
include Macropus (kangaroo), Balaenoptera (blue whale), Panthera tigris (tiger), and
Panthera leo (lion) etc.

Page6|6