Animal Phyla
Animals are often described as vertebrates (with backbones) or invertebrates (without backbones). Scientists have grouped all known members of the animal kingdom into the nine phyla:
- Proferans
- Cnidarians
- Echinoderms
- Nematodes
- Platyhelminths
- Molluscs
- Arthropods
- Chordates
Proferans
- Live in water and found in Marine environment
- Commonly called sponges because they have holes
- Known as filter feeders because they filter food out of the water.
Cnidarians
- Radial symmetry
- Only have 1 body opening. Food and waste comes in and out of this opening
- All have stinging cell, which they use to catch food.
Echinoderms
- Live in the ocean, often near the coast
- All have radial symmetry
- Spiny skin
- Leathery skin
Annelids
- Found water and on damp places on land
- Have rings along the length of their body
- These rings are segments or divisions within the body
- These animals have bilateral symmetry
Nematodes
- Also called worms but they do not have segments
- Round worms
- Commonly found in damp soil, water and as a parasite
- Have bilateral symmetry
- Have long tapered bodies that are pointed at each end.
Platyhelminths
- Flat worms
- Have bilateral symmetry
- Body flattened from bottom to top
- Live in water or very moist places.
Molluscs
- Live in water or in very moist places
- All have bilateral symmetry
- Come in different shapes and sizes
- Have well developed internal organs
- Have a muscular foot which they use too move along.
Arthropods (Largest Phyla)
- Found everywhere: air, land, water
- Have a waterproof exoskeleton (skeleton inside their bodies. Able to walk on land)
- The limbs are jointed because the skeleton does not bend
- Inside, the body is divided into segments.
Chordates
- Have a nerve running down their backs
- Most chordates have a skeleton inside their body (an endoskeleton)
- Most chordates have a series of small bones protecting the nerve cord
- Small bones are called vertebrae and together, they are called vertebral column or backbone.