It Additional Topic: Classification of Animals

Kingdom Animalia is classified into different phylum. Their

key characteristics are given below:

1. Porifera:

a
• These animals have pores all over which led to a canal system for circulation of water and
food.
• The body is covered with a hard outer layer called skeleton.
• Commonly known as sponges.
• They are aquatic animals.
• Examples: Sycon, Spongilla, Euplectelia, etc.
• Cellular level of organization.
2. Coelenterata:

• Cellular level of organization.

• There is a cavity in the body hence the name Coelenterate (coelom means cavity).
• The body wall is made up of two layers of cells (diploblastic).
• They are also aquatic animals.
• Examples: Hydra, Jelly fish, Sea anemone, etc.
 3. Platyhelminthes:

• The body is flattened from top to bottom and hence they are also named as flatworms.
• The body wall is composed of three layers of cells (triploblastic).
• A true internal body cavity or coelom is absent, hence lacks proper organs.
• They are free-living or parasitic animals.
• Examples: Plan aria, liver fluke, tapeworm, etc.
4. Nematohelminthes:

(Ascaris)
• The body is bilaterally symmetric and triploblastic.
• Body is cylindrical in shape.
• A pseudocoelom is present.
• Examples: Roundworms, Pinworms, Wuchereria, etc.
5. Annelida:

• These are bilaterally symmetrical and triploblastic.

• True body cavity is present.
• The body is divided into segments and hence the name annelida.
• Extensive Organ differentiation.
• Examples: Earthworm, leech, etc.
6. Arthropoda:

• Animals have jointed appendages which gives the name arthropoda (the word ‘arthropod’
means jointed legs’).
• Tough exoskeleton made of chitin, is present.
• This is the largest group of animals; in terms of number of species.
• They are bilaterally symmetrical and triploblastic
• Examples: Cockroach, housefly, spider, prawn, scorpion, etc.
7. Mollusca:

• Body is bilaterally symmetrical.

• The soft body is covered with a hard shell made of calcium carbonate.
• Circulatory system is open and kidney like organ is present for excretion.
• The body has well developed muscular feet for locomotion.
• Examples: Snail, mussels, octopus, etc.
8. Echinodermata:
• The body is covered with spines, which gives the name echinodermata (In Greek, echino
means spiny, and derma means skin).
• Body is radially symmetrical, Triploblastic with coelom.
• The animals have well developed water canal system, which is used for locomotion.
• Skeleton is made of calcium carbonate.
• Examples: Starfish, sea urchins, etc.
B. Vertebrata:
• Notochord is replaced by spinal column.
• Dorsal nerve chord is present.
• Animals are triploblastic and coelomate.
• Animals have paired gill pouches.
(a) Pisc

• They are commonly known as fish.

• The body is streamlined.
• Muscular tail is present which assists in locomotion.
• Streamlined body covered with scales.
• They are cold-blooded animals.
• Paired gills are present as respiratory organs.
• The heart is two chambered.
• They lay eggs.
• Fishes can be bony (Rohu and Katla) or cartilaginous (Shark).
(b) Amphibia:

•
• They are adapted to live both in water and land.
• Mucus glands on skin keep the skin moist.
• Respiration is through gills when in water and through lungs when on land.
• Three-chambered heart is present.
• They are cold blooded animals.
• Examples: Frog, toad, salamander, etc.
(c) Reptilia:

• These are crawling animals.

• Skin is covered with scales.
• Most of the reptilians have three chambered heart but crocodile has four-chambered heart.
• They don’t need water to lay eggs, rather eggs are covered with hard shells and laid on land.
• They are cold blooded animals.
• Examples: Snakes, lizards, crocodile, turtle, etc.
(d) Aves:
• The body is covered with feathers.
• Forelimbs are modified into wings.
• Respiratory organs are lungs.
• These are warm-blooded animals.
• Four-chambered heart is present.
• Bones are hollow (pneumatic) to assists in flying.
• All the birds belong to this class.
(e) Mammalia:

• Mammary glands are present in females to nurture their young ones.

• The body is covered with hairs.
• Skin has sweat glands and sebaceous (oil) glands.
• Most animals are viviparous (giving birth to live young ones), some are oviparous (producing
eggs).
• Examples: Human, horse, chimpanzee, lion, etc.
Answer the following questions:
Q1. Why does tapeworm not have digestive tract?
Q2. Why do we keep both snake and turtle in the same class?
Q3. Write the important characteristics of sponges.
Q4. Name the following:
(a) An egg laying mammal.
(b) A reptile with four chambered heart.
(c) A mammal which can fly.
(d) An aquatic mammal.
Q5. What is the difference between cold-blooded and warm-blooded
animals?
Q6. List two distinguishing features between annelids and arthropods.
Q7. Give any three examples of Porifera.
Q8. What is the another name of Sponges?
Q9.