Classification of Animals

Types of Invertebrates

Invertebrate Phylum Placozoa

Characteristics

Examples

Porifera

Cnidaria

Ctenophora

Platyhelminthes

Mesozoa

Nemertea or Rhynchocoela

Gastrotricha

Microscopic marine animal. Flattened body composed of two outer Single species identified layers of flagellated cells enclosing loose cells. Reproduces as Trichoplax adherens. asexually and possibly sexually. Simple, multicellular animals with tissues but no distinct organs. Commonly known as sponges, they typically attach to rocks, shells, or coral. Most sponges have an irregular shape supported by a skeleton composed of calcareous crystals, silicon spicules, or spongin fibers. Most sponges have an internal water canal system Sponges that moves water through the body, providing a constant supply of food particles and oxygen to all cells and removing wastes. Sponges reproduce sexually. They regenerate lost or injured body parts. Aquatic radially symmetrical animals with tentacles encircling the mouth at one end of the body. Cnidarians appear in two forms during their life cycle, the sessile, cylindrical polyp and the freeswimming medusa that looks like a jellyfish. Most feed on Coral, hydra, jellyfish, zooplankton, although some eat larger invertebrates. Cnidarians Portuguese man-of-war, use tentacles to capture prey, immobilizing the prey with stinging sea anemone cells called nematocysts. Cnidarians reproduce both asexually (by budding) and sexually. Some species are hermaphroditic, with both eggs and sperm produced in each individual. Most regenerate lost or injured body parts. Jellyfish-like marine animals distinguished by eight rows of cilia that propel the body in swimming. They feed on other invertebrates Sea walnuts, comb using two retractable sticky tentacles to capture prey. All jellies ctenophores are hermaphroditic and reproduce sexually. Many are luminescent. Structurally simple worms with no anus or circulatory system. Known as flatworms, their flattened bodies enable internal tissues to be near the skin surface, permitting gas and nutrient exchange Flatworms, flukes, with the environment. A muscular layer just beneath the skin layer tapeworms aids in locomotion. Flatworms are hermaphrodites and reproduce sexually. They typically have a life cycle involving a parasitic larval stage. Many types of flatworms are parasites of vertebrates. Minute parasitic animals of invertebrates, particularly squids and octopuses. These worms have a simple, elongated, ciliated body. Rhopalura granosa They reproduce sexually and have a complex life cycle involving more than one larval form. Animals characterized by a proboscis, a long, muscular tube used in capturing invertebrate food. Nemerteans have elongated, flattened bodies and they lack an internal body cavity. They have a Nemertine worms, mouth opening for food ingestion and an anal opening for wastes. ribbon worms The blood of some nermerteans contains oxygen-carrying hemoglobin. Nemerteans reproduce sexually. Microscopic multicellular animals that inhabit both freshwater and Turbanella cornuta, marine water. An external layer, the cuticle, encasing these animals Chaetonotus anomalus

Rotifera or Rotatoria

Kinorhyncha or Echinodera

Nematoda

Nematomorpha

Acanthocephala

Gnathostomulida

Mollusca

contains cilia that aid in locomotion. Adhesive tubes found on the sides or at the posterior end aid in surface attachment. Freshwater species have a forked tail. These animals feed on dead or living bacteria, diatoms, or small protozoa. Marine species are hermaphroditic, while most fresh water species are female, reproducing by parthenogenesis. Microscopic aquatic animals characterized by a corona, a wheelshaped organ on the head used in feeding and swimming. The rapid beating of the cilia on the corona draws nutrient-containing Synchaeta oblonga, water into the mouth. A protective cuticle covers the elongated, Phylodina roseola cylindrical body. Reproduction is sexual during brief periods of the year and throughout the rest of the year females reproduce via parthenogenesis. Tiny worms with spiny bodies. An outer protective cuticle is segmented and articulated. Found in the muddy bottoms of coastal Echinoderes, waters, they feed on microorganisms and organic particles by Condyloderes means of a sucking pharynx. Reproduction is sexual. Commonly known as roundworms, these animals are one of the most diverse and geographically widespread invertebrate phyla. Free-living roundworms inhabit freshwater and marine habitats, as well as soil. Parasitic roundworms prey on both plants and animals, causing widespread agricultural damage and disease. Roundworms Ascarids, vinegar eels, have long, cylindrical bodies with a mouth surrounded by lips and cyst nematodes, sensory papillae or bristles. Fluid in the body cavity distributes heartworms, nutrients and oxygen-roundworms do not have special respiratory hookworms or circulatory systems. Roundworms prey on other invertebrates as well as diatoms, algae, and fungi. They reproduce sexually and larvae undergo at least four molts before reaching their adult size and shape. Long, threadlike worms found in soil or freshwater, commonly known as horsehair worms. They have no distinct head. Larvae are Nectoneme, gordian parasitic on terrestrial arthropods, usually insects. Adults do not worms feed but depend entirely on nutrients obtained during the parasitic larval stage. Reproduction is sexual. Worms characterized by the presence of retractable spiny hooks that attach to the intestinal walls of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates. Lacking a digestive tract, these worms absorb nutrients Spiny-headed worms through their body wall. Reproduction is sexual and the life cycle includes larval forms that are parasites of crustaceans or insects. Elongated, ciliated worms that live in marine sand. These animals have a mouth structure with a combed plate and toothed jaws. Bacteria and fungi are scraped into the mouth by the comb and Jaw worms passed into the gut by snapping movements of the jaws. Hermaphroditic, these animals reproduce sexually. Diverse animals found in water and on land. Most mollusks have a hard shell that protects a soft body, although in some mollusks the hard shell is missing or hardly visible. A feeding organ called a Chitons, oysters, snails, radula contains rows of teeth used to scrape food into the mouth. clams, squid Enzymes in salivary glands partially digest food before it reaches the intestines. Reproduction is sexual and some mollusks have a larval form.

Annelida

Pogonophora

Vestimentifera

Sipuncula

Echiura

Priapulida

Tardigrada

Pentastomida or Linguatulida

Phoronida

Arthropoda

Segmented worms with a muscular body wall used for burrowing. External hairs called setae aid in traction during burrowing. An internal coelom is divided into compartments by walls known as septum. The digestive system stretches from the mouth to the anus, differentiated into regions, each with a different function. Reproduction is sexual. Deep-sea worms that live in chitinous tubes attached to the ocean floor. Their long, slender body has a beard of tentacles at the head end. There is no mouth or digestive system and these animals absorb all nourishment through the body surface. They reproduce sexually. Giant deep-sea worms that live in chitinous tubes attached to the ocean floor. They derive nutrition using a specialized organ called a trophosome to digest sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. Marine worms with a saclike body and a long proboscis. These worms withdraw their narrow head into the fatter posterior portion. The head end bears tentacles used in burrowing and gathering food particles. Lacking a cardiovascular system, they use internal fluid to transfer oxygen and food to body tissues. They reproduce sexually and some have a larval form. Plump marine worms that take shelter in sand burrows or rock crevices. They use a mucous net or a scoop-shaped proboscis to capture food particles. Reproduction is sexual. Cucumber-shaped, marine worms with spiny heads. During movement the barrel-shaped proboscis withdraws into the trunk of the worm. Reproduction is sexual. Microscopic animals with four pairs of stubby legs that live in marine and freshwater sediments and on the surface of mosses and lichens. They use sharp stylets protruding from their mouths to suck food from plant cells. These animals have a remarkable ability to withstand extreme dryness and low temperatures. Reproduction is sexual. Parasitic worms that live in the lungs of snakes, crocodiles, and some mammals and birds, feeding on blood and tissue. The head bears four leglike claws and a snoutlike mouth. The body is covered by a cuticle that is molted during larval development. They reproduce sexually. Cylindrical, marine worms that live in a chitinous tube embedded in sand or attached to rocks, shells, or other objects in shallow water. Protruding out of the tube is the animal's lophophore, a structure of ciliated tentacles arranged in a horseshoe shape, that is used for feeding. They have a U-shaped digestive tract. Adults are sedentary and larvae are free-swimming. Reproduction is asexual in at least one species, but most species reproduce sexually. Largest and most diverse invertebrate phylum characterized by animals with jointed limbs, a segmented body, and an exoskeleton made of chitin. Arthropods are abundant and successful in almost all habitats. The exoskeleton is divided into plates that enhance flexibility and movement. Periodic molting of the exoskeleton

Lugworms, earthworms, leeches

Bead worms

Llamellibrachs

Peanut worms

Spoon worms

Priapulus

Water bears

Tongue worms

Horseshoe worms

Ants, beetles, butterflies, lobsters, shrimp, crabs, scorpions, spiders, ticks

Ectoprocta or Bryozoa

Entoprocta or Kamptozoa

Brachiopoda

Echinodermata

Cycliophora

Loricifera

Onychophora

Chaetognatha

Hemichordata

permits growth. Arthropods have a complex brain and nervous system. Many arthropods have a compound eye made up of numerous light-sensitive parts. Reproduction is sexual. Small, mostly marine animals that resemble simplified horseshoe worms, with a lophophore surrounding the mouth. They live in colonies, attaching to the sea bottom or seaweed. Bryozoans are Moss animals hermaphroditic and reproduce asexually (by budding) and sexually. Small, mostly marine animals with a globular body mounted on a stalk. A lophophore surrounds both the mouth and anus. Entoprocts Urnatella, Pedicellina live in colonies. They reproduce both asexually and sexually. Marine animals that resemble clams except that their shells form on the top and bottom of the animal, while clam shells form on the left and right of the animal. The shell attaches to the ocean bottom, Lamp shells rocks, or other objects by means of a cordlike stalk. Brachiopods reproduce sexually. Marine animals distinguished by their radial symmetry in which the body can be divided into five parts arranged around a central axis. They have internal skeletons composed of calcareous ossicles Sea stars, brittle stars, with projecting spines that give the body surface a bumpy sea urchins, sand appearance. They use body appendages called processes for dollars, sea cucumbers feeding and locomotion. Reproduction is sexual and some have a larval form. Discovered in 1995, these parasites live in the mouthparts of certain lobsters. They have a characteristic saclike body with a bell-shaped mouth structure called a buccal funnel. Only one Single species identified species has been identified, and it displays alternation of as Symbion pandora generations, with both asexual and sexual components of the life cycle. Marine sediment dwellers with a protective structure called a lorica, consisting of plates that surround the animal's trunk. The mouth and head retract into the lorica for protection. Reproduction Nanaloricus mysticus is sexual and little is known about the life cycle, although a larval form has been identified. Terrestrial, caterpillar-like animals found only in the tropics and southern hemisphere. The soft body is covered by a flexible cuticle that periodically molts. The head region contains a pair of antennae Velvet worms and clawlike mandibles. They have from 14 to 43 pairs of legs, depending upon the species and gender. Reproduction is sexual. Torpedo-shaped marine animals with fins that enable them to swim with rapid, dartlike movements as well as gliding and floating Arrow worms motions. Movable hooks on their heads are used to capture prey. These animals are hermaphrodites and reproduction is sexual. Simple, wormlike marine animals with a primitive notochord and a system of gills. They use a distinctive proboscis to capture food Acorn and also to aid in locomotion. Reproduction is sexual and some have a larval form that resembles the larvae of echinoderms.

Types of Vertebrates

Vertebrate Type Characteristics Examples Cold-blooded animals that live in water. These fishes have no bone structure and their sole support is from a simple cartilaginous rod known as the notochord. Unlike other vertebrates, these fishes do Jawless fishes not have opposing jaws. They have round, sucker-like mouths and use tongues with embedded teeth that scrape tissue from prey. Jawless fishes have primitive breathing openings that provide oxygen to the blood. They reproduce by laying eggs. Cold-blooded animals that live in water. Their notochord is surrounded by rings of cartilage known as vertebrae. The remainder of the skeleton is also cartilaginous rather than bony. Cartilaginous They have breathing organs called gills that provide oxygen to the fishes blood. Cartilaginous fishes have powerful jaws for grasping prey. Reproduction varies depending upon the species. Some fish produce live young, while others lay eggs outside of the female body. Cold-blooded animals that live in water. Their skeleton is made of bone, and most bony fishes also have an internal bladder that aids in buoyancy. The anatomy of these fishes varies greatly, but Bony fishes typically includes fins, scales, a two-chambered heart, and gills. Bony fishes reproduce by laying eggs. In some species the eggs develop inside the female, who then give birth to live young. Cold-blooded animals that live some part of their life on land but usually must breed and develop from egg to larvae to adult in water. Most amphibian larvae use gills to breathe underwater. These gills are then replaced in adults by lungs for breathing air. Amphibians Their permeable skin acts as an additional breathing organ by permitting oxygen exchange. Their skin also permits water to pass in and out, requiring amphibians to stay nearby a water source so that their bodies do not dry out. Amphibians were the first animals with backbones to adapt to life on land. Cold-blooded animals with an outer covering of scales or bony plates that prevents their bodies from drying out when not near Reptiles water. Reptiles reproduce by laying eggs protected by shells or by giving birth to live young. They do not have a larval stage. Mostly land-dwellers, they breathe air using lungs. Warm-blooded animals whose body is covered with feathers. Birds have wings that in most cases help them fly. A number of adaptations make flight easier, including a lightweight skeleton in Birds which many major bones are hollow and a furculum, or wishbone, that absorbs the shock of wing motion during flight. Birds reproduce by laying eggs protected by shells. Warm-blooded animals, the females of which have milk-secreting organs that they use to feed their young. Mammals have highly developed brains, giving them an intelligence unmatched by any Mammals other group of animals. Most mammals reproduce by giving birth to live young. They are the only animals with hair, and they have specialized teeth that make it possible to eat a wide variety of plants and animals for food.

Hagfish, lamprey

Sharks, skates, rays, chimaeras

Sturgeon, herring, salmon, perch, cod, coelacanth

Frogs and toads, salamanders, newts, caecilians

Snakes, crocodiles, alligators, lizards, turtles, tortoises

Penguin, flamingo, eagle, turkey, thrush, parrot

Platypus, kangaroo, bat, lion, wolf, mouse, seal, antelope, cow, dolphin, whale, lemur, monkey, ape, human