MAIN PHYLA of the ANIMAL KINGDOM

Phylum Locomotion Symmetry Cell Layers
(Coelom)		 Body Openings Systems Present Reproduction Other Features
Porifera
(sponges)		 none none or radial 2 1 none
some cellular specialisation		 asexual
fragmentation
sexual
hermaphroditic

  • pores in body wall

  • some differentiation of cells

  • able to "reassemble"
Cnidaria
(jelly-fish, corals, sea anemones, hydra)		 free floating
sessile
ciliated larvae		 radial 2 1 nervous
digestive

  • tentacles for feeding & defense

 asexual
polyp - forms colonies 
produces medusas
sexual
medusa - produces planula (larvae)
  • stinging cells nematocysts
  • separate polyp & medusa stages
Platyhelminthes
(flat worms)		 muscles
cilia		 bilateral 3 1 +
excretory

  • flame cells

 simultaneously
hermaphroditic
  • flat body
Nematoda
(round worms)		 muscles bilateral 3
pseudocoelom		 2 +

  • one-way digestive tract (mouth & anus)

 sexual
sexes usually separate
  • hydrostatic skeleton
Annelida
(segmented worms)		 muscles
setae		 bilateral 3
coelom		 2 +
circulatory

  • "through" gut, specialised

  • centralised nervous system

  • receptors for stimuli (touch, taste, light, moisture)

  • closed circulatory system, blood vessels

  • nephridia (2 per seg.) control chemical composition of body fluid

 hermaphroditic,
usually copulate
  • 5 pairs of hearts (earthworm),
  • nephridia
Mollusca
(bivalves, gastropods, cephalopods)
(+ 4 minor classes)		 muscles bilateral 3
coelom		 2 +
respiratory

  • radula

  • mantle cavity

  • 3 chambered heart

  • open circulatory system except cephalopods

  • excretory system (2 nephridia) controls chemical composition of body fluid

  • wide diversity in nervous system development
    cephalopods (partic. octopuses have well developed N.S. & brain, & complex eyes)

    •      		various

    • sequentially or simultaneously hermaphroditic

    • separate sexes

    • internal or external fertilisation

    • cephalopods always separate sexes
      -fertilisation is internal
      -complex courtship & mating behaviour
    • soft bodied,
    • (most) hard outer shell,
    • 3 distinct body zones (head, visceral mass, mantle)
    •  
    Arthropoda
    (myriapods, insects, arachnids, crustaceans)    		 muscles,
    jointed appendages    		 bilateral 3
    coelom    		 2 +

    • fused dorsal ganglia - type of brain (inhibitor)

    		 sexual
    • jointed hard exoskeleton
    • segmented body (head, thorax, abdomen)
    • some have fused segments to form cephalothorax
    • specialised appendages
    Echinodermata
    (sea urchins, sea stars)    		 muscles,
    tube "feet"    		 radial 3
    coelom    		 2 +

    • simple nervous system

    		 sexual
    external fertilisation
    asexual
    regeneration
    • deuterostomate
    Chordata
    (invertebrate forms, vertebrates)
    (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals)
    		 muscles,
    internal skeleton,
    vertebral column,
    specialised jointed appendages    		 bilateral 3
    coelom    		 2 +

    • notochord
      most have segmented bony vertebral column to protect the nerve chord

    • single hollow nerve chord

    • central nervous system

    • brain

    • head contains main sensory organs

    • gills or lungs

    		 sexual
    nearly always separate
    • deuterostomate
    • internal skeleton
    • segmentation evident in organ and structural systems
    • scales, feathers & hair protect the skin

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     Copyright © Jennie Walters: 1998 ~ 2004
    Last changed: May 10, 2003

    since 10/02/2002