Kingdom Animalia

General CharacteristicsAll species are

eukaryotic, heterotrophic, require oxygen to perform cellular respiration and all evolved from a common ancestor millions of years ago.

The following are phyla that are in this Kingdom

Invertebrate PhylaThe following Phyla all do not possess a dorsal

nerve cord or vertebral column of any sort, therefore they are all termed ‘Invertebrates’.

They are some of the most numerous animal species on this planet!

Phylum Porifera“pore bearing”They are primitive, sessile,

mostly marine, water dwelling filter feeders that pump water through their bodies to filter out particles of food matter.

Have no true tissue, so were probably the first jump from unicellular to multicellular animals.

Sponges are the best example.

Phylum CnidariaPossess stinging cellsThe basic body shape

of a cnidarian consists of a sac containing a gastrovascular cavity with a single opening that functions as both mouth and anus.

Radially symmetricalCoral, sea anemones,

jellyfish, sea wasps are prime examples

Phylum Platyhelminthes‘flat worm’The flatworm’s soft body is

ribbon-shaped, flattened dorso-ventrally (from top to bottom), and is bilaterally symmetrical.

Flatworms exhibit an undulating form of locomotion.

Sexual (hermaphroditic) and asexual (transverse fission) reproduction.

Use a haptor to attach to species for feeding. Most are free-living, some parasites.

Closed tube digestive system.Depending on species and age,

individuals can range in size from almost microscopic to over 20 m long. The longest ever recorded flatworm was a tapeworm over 27 m long!

Phylum Annelida‘Segmented worms’They are found in most

wet environments.Open digestive systemClosed circulatory systemReproduce both asexually

(fragmentation) and sexually (hermaphrodites)

Range in size from under 1 mm to over 3 m!

Leeches and Earthworms are the more known members.

Phylum Arthropoda ‘jointed feet’ Segmented body with appendages

coming from at least one segment. Dorsal heart and ventral nervous

system. Hard exoskeleton made up of chitin

to protect against drying out. Largest Animal phylum (80% of the

known species on Earth!) Common to all environments Open circulatory system Respiratory system depends on their

environment (gills, book lungs, tracheae and spiracles).

Sexual reproduction for the most part.

Classes of ArthropodsClass Arachnidia

(Spiders, Scorpions and Mites)

Class Crustacea(Lobsters, Crabs,

Shrimp, Barnacles)

Classes of ArthropodsClass Merostoma

(Horseshoe Crabs)Class Myriopoda

(Millipedes and Centipedes)

Class Insecta and 2 of its OrdersOrder Lepidoptera

(Moths and Butterflies)

Order Diptera(Flies, Mosquitoes, Gnats and

Midges)

Phylum Mollusca‘thin shelled’Found in both marine and

freshwater environmentsFilter feedersHave a shell or modified

shellOpen digestive systemOpen circulatory system

except for Class Cephalopoda

Use gills/lungs to breatheCan be small

(micromollusks) to extremely large (Colossal Squid)

Classes of MolluscsClass Cephalopodia

(Octopus, Squid, Nautilus and Cuttlefish)

Class Bivalvia(Clams, Mussels, Oysters and

Scallops)

Classes of MolluscsClass Gastropoda(Snails and Slugs)

This Colossal Squid is freaking me out!

Phylum Echinodermata ‘spiny skin’Marine speciesAdults are radially

symmetrical.Mouth and anus may change

places in some developing adults! Open digestive system.

Possess a unique water vascular system that is used in gas exchange, feeding and locomotion.

External fertilizers in sexually reproduction

Can regenerateStarfish, Sea Stars, Sea

Urchins, Sea Cucumbers, Feather Stars…

End of the Invertebrates

Phylum ChordataThere are four subphyla in the phylum

Chordata

A) Urochordata Contain the organisms known as

tunicates or sea squirts. Thick-walled, short organisms that live

on the ocean floor. B) Cephalochordata Lancelets, which are small marine

animals that look like a surgical knife and are only a few cm long.

Lie buried beneath muddy sediments.  

**** IMPORTANT****  These two subphylum are considered

to be part of the chordates because at some point in their life history they had:

  i) a dorsal nerve cord from which

nerves branch out to all parts of the body

ii) a notochord, or rod of cartilage, which runs across the dorsal surface of the body

iii)gill slits, which for terrestrial animals, are present in the embryo

Phylum ChordataC) Agnantha Literally means ‘without

jaw’ Contains species of

jawless fish They are very mobile and

ferocious predators Examples are the hagfish

and lamprey

D) Gnathostomata Contain jaws The majority of the

organisms that we think about when we say the term ‘animal’ are from this subphylum

Gnathostomata ClassesClass Condricthyes(Sharks and Rays)

Class Osteichthyes(Bony Fish)

Gnathostomata ClassesClass Amphibia

(Amphibians: frogs, toads, newts and salamanders)

Class Reptilia(Reptiles: Alligators, Crocodiles,

Tuataras, Snakes, Lizards, Turtles and Tortoises)

Class Aves (Birds)Order Falconiformes

(Birds of Prey like Hawks, Kites, Eagles, Falcons, Osprey…)

Order Strigiformes(Owls)

Class AvesOrder Piciformes

(Woodpeckers, Toucans, Honey Guides…)

Order Passeriformes(Perching Birds)

Class MammaliaOrder Carnivora (Carnivores:

cats, dogs, weasels, seals, etc…)Order Rodentia (Rodents: rats, mice, beavers, squirrels, etc…)

Class MammaliaOrder Artiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates: moose, hippo, goat,

camel, warthog, giraffes…)Order Chiroptera (Bats)

Class MammaliaOrder Insectivora (moles, shrews, hedgehogs, things that eat insects

that don’t fit in anywhere else!)

Order Marsupialia (Marsupials: kangaroo,

wallaby, koala, sugar glider…)

Class MammaliaOrder Primates (Apes, Humans,

Lemurs and Monkeys)Order Cetacea (Whales,

Dolphins, Porpoises)

Class MammaliaOrder Edentata (armadillos,

sloths, anteaters) Order Perissodactyla (Odd-

Toed Ungulates: Rhino, Tapir, Zebra, Horses…)

Class MammaliaOrder Proboscidea

(Elephants) Order Lagomorpha

(rabbits, hares, pikas…)