Ch.

4- Animal Kingdom (Notes)

Basis of Classification-
Animals are classified on the basis of certain fundamental features common to various
individuals. These features include
➢ Level of Organisation
➢ Body Symmetry
➢ Embryonic layer or Germ layer
➢ Nature of Coelom
➢ Segmentation
➢ Presence or absence of Notochord

Levels of organisation (arrangement) of cells.

(i) Cellular level- Cells are arranged in loose aggregates e.g., sponges
(ii) Tissue level- Cells are arranged into tissues and show some divsion of labour
Cnidarians, Ctenophores.
(iii) Organ level- Tissues are grouped to form organs. Eg., platyhelminthes
(iv) Organ System level- Organs are associated to form functional systems,e.g.,
Annelids, Arthropods, Molluscs, Echinoderms and Chordates.

Symmetry.
(i) Asymmetrical- The organism cannot be divided into equal halves through any
median plane.
(ii) Radial symmetry- Any Plane passing through the central axis can divide an
organism into equal halves e.g., Hydra
(iii) Bilateral Symmetry- Only one plane can divide the organisms into equal
halves.eg., Annelids, Arthropoda.

Coelom-
Presence or absence of cavity present between the body wall and the gut wall is very
important in classification.
(i) Acoelomate – Body cavity is absent eg Platyhelminthes
(ii) Pseudocoelomate – No true coelom as the mesoderm is present in scattered
pouches between ectoderm and endoderm., Aschelmenthes
(iii) Coelomate – Possess true coelom i.e., body cavity lined mesoderm e.g., Annelids
to chordates.

Embryonic Layer-
(i) Diploblastic- Cells are arranged in two embryonic layers-
(ii) Triploblastic- Three layers are present in developing embryo i.e., ectoderm,
endoderm and mesoderm e.g., Platyhelminthes to Chordates.

Segmentation-
In some animals, the body is externally and internally divided into segments called as
metameres. Eg., Earthworm
Notochord-

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 Notochord is a mesodermally derived rod-like structure formed on dorsal side during
development in some animals.
Animals with notochord are called chordates, while those which lack it are called non-
chordates e.g., Porifera to echinoderms.
Classification of Animals-
Porifera
Coelenterate
Ctenophora
Platyhelminthes
Aschelminthes
Annelida
Arthropoda
Mollusca
Echinodermata
Hemichordata
Chordata

Phylum Porifera- means pore bearers (sponges).

➢ They are generally marine, but a few occur in fresh water (spongilla).
➢ They are asymmetrical and have cellular level of organisation.
➢ In sponges water enters through minute pores (ostia) in the body wall into a
central cavity (spongocoel), from where it goes out through osculum. The water
canal are lines by choanocytes (collar cells).
➢ (Ostia are mouthlets and allow entry of water. A larger aperture called osculum
allows exit of water).
➢ Food gathering, respiratory exchange and removal of wastes occurs through canal
system.
➢ The body is supported by a skeleton made up of spicules or spongin fibre.
➢ Animals are hermaphrodite; fertilisation is internal and development is indirect
(i.e., have larval stages which are distinct from adult stages).
➢ Example- Sycon, Euspongia Spongilla

Phylum - Coelenterata (cnidaria)-

➢ They are mostly marine, sessile or free swimming, a few are fresh water forms
(Hydra)
➢ Radially symmetrical animals.
➢ The name cnidaria derived from the cnidoblast or cnidocytes (which contains stinging
capsules or nematocytes).
➢ They have a central gastrovascular cavity with a single opening mouth.
➢ They exhibit tissue level of organisation.
➢ Cnidarians exhibit two basic body forms polyp and medusa.
➢ The former is a sessile and cylindrical form like hydra, sea anemone the later is
umbrella shaped and free swimming like aurelia and jelly fish.

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 ➢ Some cnidarians exhibit alternation of generations (metagenesis) i.e., Polyp produces
Medusa asexually and Medusa produces Polyp sexually.
➢ E.g., Obelia
➢ Examples- physalia (Portuguese man of war), Adamsia (sea anemone), Pennatula (sea
pen), Gorgonia (sea fan) and Meandrina (Brain coral)

Phylum Ctenophora-
➢ Ctenophora commonly called as sea walnuts or comb jellies.
➢ They are exclusively marine.
➢ Radially symmetrical ,
➢ Tissue level of organisation.
➢ The body bears eight external rows of ciliated comb plates, which help in locomotion.
➢ They exhibit biolumnescence (the property to emit light) .
➢ Hermaphrodite, Sexual reproduction, external fertilisation with indirect development.
➢ E.g., Pleurobrachia, Plenoplana

Phylum Platyhelminthes-
➢ They have dorso-ventrally flattened body, hence are called flatworms.
➢ Bilateral symmetry,
➢ Triploblastic,
➢ Organ level organisation.
➢ Hooks and suckers are present in the parasitic forms.
➢ Specialised cells called flame cells are present which help in osmoregulation and
excretion.
➢ Sexes are not separate and shows internal fertilisation.
➢ Examples- planaria, liver fluke, tapeworm

Aschelminthes-
➢ They are commonly called as round worm as their body appears as round in cross
section.
➢ They may be free living or parasitic in plants and animals.
➢ They are bilaterally symmetrical, Triploblastic, pseudocoelomate and Organ system
of organisation.
➢ Digestive canal is complete with mouth and specialised muscular pharynx.
(Alimentary canal is complete with a mouth and anus)
➢ An excretory tube removes body wastes from the body cavity through the excretory
pore.
➢ Male and female are separate (shows dimorphism).
➢ Often, females are longer than males.
➢ Fertilisation is internal and development is direct or indirect.
➢ E.g., Ascaris, Wuchereria (filarial worm), . Ancyclostoma (Hookworm)

Annelida- (Latin- annulus: little ring)

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 ➢ The animals are commonly called as annelids, as their body surface is distinctly
marked into ring like segments (metameres). They have internal as well as external
segments.
➢ They may be aquatic or terrestrial.
➢ They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate and have organ system level
of organisation
➢ They have longitudnal and circular muscles which help in locomotion. Aquatic forms
have lateral appendages called as parapodia for swimming.
➢ Nephridia are the organs of excretion and osmoregulation.
➢ They have closed circulatory system.
➢ They may be hermaphrodite/ monoecious (eg. Earthworm, leech) or dioecious
(Nereis). Fertilisation is internal.

Arthropoda- ( arthros- jointed; poda- appendages)

➢ It is the largest phylum of kingdom animalia.
➢ The animals have jointed appendages.
➢ They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, segmented coelomate and have organ
system level of organisation.
➢ The body consist of head, thorax and abdomen.
➢ Respiratory system are book lungs or tracheal system.
➢ Circulatory system is open type.
➢ Excretion takes place through malpighian tubule.
➢ Nervous system consists of segmented ganglia and double nerve cord; sensory organs
include antennae, simple / compound eyes and statocysts (balancing organs).
➢ They are unisexual (dioecious). Fertlisation is internal and development direct or
indirect.
➢ Economically useful insects- Bombyx (silk worm)
Apis (honey bee), Laccifer (Lac insect),
Vectors- Anopheles, culex and aedes
Gregarious pest- Locusta (locust)
Living fossil- Limulus (king crab)

Phylum – Mollusca
➢ It is the second largest phylum.
➢ These are soft bodied animals which are terrestrial or aquatic (marine or fresh water).
➢ They are bilaterally symmetrical (symmetry may be lost due to torsion), coelomate,
triploblastic and have organ system of organisation.
➢ The body is divided into head, muscular foot and visceral hump and is covered by a
calcareous shell.
➢ The mouth contains a file like rasping organs for feeding called radula.
➢ Circulatory system is open type.
➢ has sensory tentacles
➢ They are unisexual (dioecious); they are oviparous, fertilization internal with indirect
development.
➢ E.g., pila, octopus

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 Phylum Echinodermata- (Spiny skinned animals).
➢ They have endoskeleton of calcareous ossicles and are exclusively marine.
➢ The adult are radially symmetrical but the larva are bilaterally symmetrical.
➢ They are triploblastic, coelomate and have organ system level organisation.
➢ Digestive system is complete with a ventral mouth and a dorsal anus.
➢ The most distinctive feature of echinodermata is the presence of ‘ water vascular
system’ which help in locomotion, capture of food and respiration.
➢ An excretory system is absent.
➢ They are unisexual (sexes are separate); fertlisation in external and development is
indirect with free swimming larva.
➢ E,g., Asterias Star fish), Echinus (Sea urchin), Antedon (sea lily)

Phylum Hemichordata-
➢ This phylum was earlier considered as subphylum under phylum chordata but now it
is placed as a separate phylum under non-chordata.
➢ The animals are worm like and are exclusively marine.
➢ They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate and have organ system level
of organisation.
➢ There body is cylindrical and consist of an anterior proboscis (protosome), a collar
(mesosome) and a long trunk (metasome).
➢ The circulatory system is open type respiration occurs through gills and the proboscis
gland is the excretory organ.
➢ They are unisexual (sexes are separate).
➢ Fertilisation is external and development is indirect.
➢ E.,g- Balanoglossus, Saccoglossus.

Phylum- Choradata-
➢ The animals of phylum chordata are fundamentally characterised by the –
➢ Presence of notochord
➢ A dorsal hollow nerve cord
➢ A paired pharyngeal gill slits and Post anal tail.
➢ They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate and have organ system level
of organsation.

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 ➢ In Subphylum Urochordata or tunicata , notochord is present only in larval tail
(disappears in adults). E.g., Ascidia, Salpa, doliolum, Herdmania
➢ In Subphylum Cephalochordates, it extends from head to tail region and is persistent
throughout their life. E.g., Branchiostoma (Amphioxus or Lancelet).

Subphylum Vertebrata
➢ The members of subphylum Vertebrata possess notochord during the embryonic
period. The notochord is replaced by a cartilaginous or bony vertebral column in the
adult.
➢ Thus all vertebrates are chordates but all chordates are not vertebrates.
➢ Besides the basic chordate characters, vertebrates have a ventral muscular heart with
two, three or four chambers, kidneys for excretion and osmoregulation and paired
appendages which may be fins or limbs.

Class – Cyclostomata
➢ All living members of the class Cyclostomata are
➢ ectoparasites on some fishes. They have an
➢ elongated body bearing 6-15 pairs of gill slits
➢ for respiration.
➢ Cyclostomes have a sucking and circular mouth without jaws
➢ Their body is devoid of scales and paired fins. Cranium and vertebral column are
cartilaginous. Circulation is of closed type.
➢ Cyclostomes are marine but migrate for spawning to fresh water. After spawning,
within a few days, they die.
➢ Their larvae, after metamorphosis, return to the ocean. Examples: Petromyzon
(Lamprey) and Myxine (Hagfish)

Class – Chondrichthyes
They are marine animals with streamlined body and have cartilaginous endoskeleton.
➢ Mouth is located ventrally. Notochord is persistent throughout life.
➢ Gill slits are separate and without operculum (gill cover). The skin is tough,
containing minute placoid scales. Teeth are modified placoid scales which are
backwardly directed.
➢ Their jaws are very powerful. These animals are predaceous. Due to the absence of air
bladder, they have to swim constantly to avoid sinking. Heart is two-chambered (one
auricle and one ventricle).

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 ➢ Some of them have electric organs (e.g., Torpedo) and some possess poison sting
(e.g., Trygon).
➢ They are cold-blooded (poikilothermous) animals, i.e., they lack the capacity to
regulate their body temperature.
➢ Sexes are separate. In males pelvic fins bear claspers. They have internal fertilisation
and many of them are viviparous.
➢ Examples: Scoliodon (Dog fish), Pristis (Saw fish), Carcharodon (Great white shark),
Trygon (Sting ray).

Class – Osteichthyes
➢ It includes both marine and fresh water fishes with bony endoskeleton.
➢ Their body is streamlined. Mouth is mostly terminal.
➢ They have four pairs of gills which are covered by an operculum on each side.
➢ Skin is covered with cycloid/ctenoid scales. Air bladder is present which regulates
buoyancy.
➢ Heart is two chambered (one auricle and one ventricle).
➢ They are cold-blooded animals. Sexes are separate. Fertilisation is usually external.
They are mostly oviparous and development is direct.
➢ Examples: Marine – Exocoetus (Flying fish), Hippocampus (Sea horse); Freshwater –
Labeo (Rohu), Catla (Katla), Clarias (Magur); Aquarium – Betta (Fighting fish),
Pterophyllum (Angel fish).

Class – Amphibia
➢ amphibians can live in aquatic as well as terrestrial habitats. Most of them have two
pairs of limbs. Body is divisible into head and trunk. Tail may be present in some.
➢ The amphibian skin is moist (without scales). The eyes have eyelids. A tympanum
represents the ear. Alimentary canal, urinary and reproductive tracts open into a
common chamber called cloaca which opens to the exterior.
➢ Respiration is by gills, lungs and through skin. The heart is three chambered (two
auricles and one ventricle).
➢ These are cold-blooded animals. Sexes are separate. Fertilisation is external.
➢ They are oviparous and development is indirect.
➢ Examples: Bufo (Toad), Rana (Frog), Hyla (Tree frog), Salamandra (Salamander),
Ichthyophis (Limbless amphibia).

Class – Reptilia
➢ The class name refers to their creeping or crawling mode of locomotion (Latin, repere
or reptum, to creep or crawl).
➢ They are mostly terrestrial animals and their body is covered by dry and cornified
skin, epidermal scales or scutes .
➢ They do not have external ear openings. Tympanum represents ear. Limbs, when
present, are two pairs.
➢ Heart is usually three-chambered, but four-chambered in crocodiles. Reptiles are
poikilotherms. Snakes and lizards shed their scales as skin cast.

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 ➢ Sexes are separate. Fertilisation is internal. They are oviparous and development is
direct.
➢ Examples: Chelone (Turtle), Testudo (Tortoise), Chameleon (Tree lizard),
Calotes (Garden lizard), Crocodilus (Crocodile), Alligator (Alligator).
Hemidactylus (Wall lizard), Poisonous snakes – Naja (Cobra), Bangarus
(Krait), Vipera (Viper).

Class – Aves
➢ The characteristic features of Aves (birds) are the presence of feathers and most of
them can fly except flightless birds (e.g., Ostrich). They possess beak.
➢ The forelimbs are modified into wings. The hind limbs generally have scales and are
modified for walking, swimming or clasping the tree branches.
➢ Skin is dry without glands except the oil gland at the base of the tail. Endoskeleton is
fully ossified (bony) and the long bones are hollow with air cavities (pneumatic).
➢ The digestive tract of birds has additional chambers, the crop and gizzard. Heart is
completely four chambered.
➢ They are warm-blooded (homoiothermous) animals, i.e., they are able to maintain a
constant body temperature. Respiration is by lungs.
➢ Air sacs connected to lungs supplement respiration. Sexes are separate. Fertilisation is
internal.
➢ They are oviparous and development is direct. Examples : Corvus (Crow), Columba
(Pigeon), Psittacula (Parrot), Struthio (Ostrich), Pavo (Peacock), Aptenodytes
(Penguin), Neophron (Vulture).

Class – Mammalia
➢ They are found in a variety of habitats – polar ice caps, deserts, mountains, forests,
grasslands and dark caves.
➢ Some of them have adapted to fly or live in water.
➢ The most unique mammalian characteristic is the presence of milk producing glands
(mammary glands) by which the young ones are nourished.
➢ They have two pairs of limbs, adapted for walking, running, climbing, burrowing,
swimming or flying.
➢ The skin of mammals is unique in possessing hair.
➢ External ears or pinnae are present. Different types of teeth are present in the jaw.
➢ Heart is four chambered. They are homoiothermous.
➢ Respiration is by lungs. Sexes are separate and fertilisation is internal.
➢ They are viviparous with few exceptions and development is direct.
➢ Examples: Oviparous-Ornithorhynchus (Platypus); Viviparous - Macropus
(Kangaroo), Pteropus (Flying fox), Camelus (Camel), Macaca (Monkey), Rattus
(Rat), Canis (Dog), Felis (Cat), Elephas (Elephant), Equus (Horse), Delphinus
(Common dolphin), Balaenoptera (Blue whale), Panthera tigris (Tiger), Panthera leo
(Lion).