The animal kingdom is vast and diverse, consisting of millions of species that inhabit every corner of the earth. From the smallest insect to the largest mammal, animals come in all shapes and sizes, with unique adaptations that allow them to survive in their respective environments.
The animal kingdom is classified into different groups based on their physical characteristics, genetic makeup, and evolutionary history. These groups are known as taxa, and they include phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species. The most commonly recognized taxa are phyla, which include Chordata (animals with a backbone), Arthropoda (animals with an exoskeleton and jointed legs), and Mollusca (animals with a soft body and a hard shell).
Chordata is the largest phylum in the animal kingdom and includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. These animals have a backbone, a central nervous system, and a circulatory system. They also have a variety of other unique adaptations, such as feathers in birds, fur in mammals, and scales in reptiles.
Arthropoda is the second-largest phylum in the animal kingdom and includes insects, spiders, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. These animals have an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed legs. They also have a variety of other unique adaptations, such as wings in insects and claws in crustaceans.
Mollusca is the third-largest phylum in the animal kingdom and includes snails, clams, squid, and octopuses. These animals have soft bodies and hard shells or mantles. They also have a variety of other unique adaptations, such as ink sacs in squid and the ability to regenerate limbs in some species.
The animal kingdom also includes a wide variety of other taxa, including classes, orders, families, genera, and species. Each of these groups has unique characteristics that distinguish them from other groups, and scientists continue to discover new species and learn more about the evolutionary history of animals.
The study of the animal kingdom, known as zoology, has important implications for understanding the diversity of life on Earth and for conservation efforts. By studying the physical characteristics, behaviour, and ecology of animals, scientists can gain insights into how different species interact with their environment and with each other. This knowledge can help inform conservation efforts and protect endangered species from extinction.
In conclusion, the animal kingdom is a vast and diverse group of organisms that includes millions of species with unique adaptations and characteristics. By understanding the taxonomy and evolutionary history of animals, scientists can gain insights into the diversity of life on earth and inform conservation efforts to protect endangered species.
The animal kingdom is subdivided into the following sub-groups
ANIMALIA
PHYLUM
1. PORIFERA
2. COELERENTERATA
3. PLATYHELMINTHES
4. NEMATODA
5. ANNELIDA
6. MOLLUSCA 7. ARTHROPODA
8. ECHINODERMATA
9. CHORDAQTA
details of the kingdom Animalia
The first eight phyla of the animal kingdom belong to the sub-phyla invertebrates i.e. they are animals without backbone and external skeleton while the Phylum Chordata belongs to the Phylum Vertebrata i.e. animals with a backbone and internal skeleton
Here I want to take a little time to delve into these groups of animals to explain with more precise details of their various characteristics.
- PORIFERA.Porifera, also known as sponges, are a group of simple, sessile, and most marine animals that belong to the phylum Porifera. They are the simplest and most primitive animals in the animal kingdom, and they have no organs, tissues, or nervous system. Instead, they are characterized by a porous body that allows water to flow through them and a system of internal canals and chambers that filter and trap food particles.Sponges come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, ranging from small encrusting forms to large branching or vase-shaped structures. They are found in both shallow and deep waters and are particularly abundant in coral reefs.
The body of a sponge is composed of two layers of cells separated by a gelatinous matrix known as mesohyl. The outer layer of cells is called the pinacoderm, which is made up of flattened cells that cover the surface of the sponge. The inner layer of cells is called the choanoderm, which is made up of specialized cells known as choanocytes or collar cells that have a collar of microvilli and a flagellum. These cells create a flow of water through the sponge, trapping and filtering food particles as the water passes through.
Sponges also have a unique ability to regenerate lost parts of their body, and some species can even reorganize their entire body structure. This adaptability allows them to survive in a variety of environments and recover quickly from damage caused by predators or environmental stress.
Despite their simplicity, sponges play an important role in marine ecosystems. They provide habitats and shelter for a variety of small organisms, and their filter-feeding activities help to maintain water quality by removing excess nutrients and organic matter from the water column.
- CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PORIERAS
i. They are simple aquatic invertebrates PORIFERA
ii. They do not move about but are attached to rocks or shells-PONIFERA
iii. They live in colonies-PONIFERA
iv. They are primitive multi-cellular animals-PONIFERA
v. They have asymmetrical bodies which is that their bodies can be divided into two equal halves or parts-PONIFERA
vi. They are merely colonies of cells hence they lack specialized tissues-PONIFERA
vii. Examples of animals in this group is the sponges-PONIFERA
- COELENTARATA.
The term “Coelentarata” is an outdated taxonomic group that was once used to refer to a group of animals that included cnidarians (such as jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones) and ctenophores (also known as comb jellies). The name “Coelentarata” is derived from the Greek words “koilos,” meaning “hollow,” and “enteron,” meaning “intestine,” referring to the animals’ simple, sac-like body plan.
However, the classification of these animals has since been revised, and they are now considered to be two separate phyla. Cnidarians are now classified under the phylum Cnidaria, while ctenophores are classified under the phylum Ctenophora. The term “Coelentarata” is no longer used in modern scientific classification.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COELENTARATA
I. COELENTARATA ARE MULTI-CELLULAR ANIMALS
II. Coelenterata body is made up of two layers
III. Coelenterata are mainly aquatic organisms
IV. Coelenterata bodies possess radial symmetry
V. Coelenterata have a soft jelly body
VI. Coelenterata possesses tentacles and stinging cells for capturing their prey
VII. Coelenterata reproduces asexually by budding
VIII. Examples of Coelenterata are jellyfish, Hydra, Anemones and Corals
- PLATYHEMENTHES
CHARACTERISTICS OF PLATYHELMINTHS i. Platyhementhes are multi-cellular flatworms ii. platyhementhes are bilaterally symmetrical
iii. platyhementhes do not have a body cavity or lumen
iv. platyhementhes body is made up of three layers: ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm
v. platyhementhes are mainly parasites in man and a few others in animals
vi. platyhementhes also known as flatworms are hermaphrodites and reproduce sexually
vii. examples of Platyhementhes are Tapeworm, Planaria, Liver flukes (fasciola) and Bloodfluke which is also known as Schistosoma
- NEMATODA/NEMATODES
CHARACTERISTICS OF NEMATODES ALSO KNOWN AS ROUNDWORMS
I. Nematodes have round and cylindrical bodies
II. Nematodes lack body cavity
III. Nematodes are bilaterally symmetrical
IV. Some Nematodes are parasites in man while some are free living
V. Nematode body is made up of three layers
VI. Some Nematodes are hermaphrodites while some of them reproduce sexually
VII. Examples of Nematodes are roundworms, hookworms, guinea worms, threadworms and filarial worms
- ANNELIDA/ANNELID
CHARACTERISTICS OF ANNELIDA
i. Annelids have internal and external segmented bodies
ii. Annelids have long cylindrical bodies
iii. Annelids have a true body cavity also called Coelom
iv. Annelids are aquatic while some are terrestrial, which means they live in the soil
v. Annelid’s elementary canals have two openings, the mouth and Anus
vi. Annelids reproduce sexually while some are hermaphrodites
vii. Annelids bodies are made up of three layers
viii. Examples are earthworms, leeches and tubewormsMOLLUSCA
- CHARACTERISTICS OF MOLLUSCA
I. MOLLUSCS HAVE SOFT AND Unsegmented bodies
II. Mollusca have tentacles in their heads
III. Mollusca possesses a muscular foot-like body adapted for crawling
IV. Mollusca body is covered by a soft tissue called the mantle
V. Some Mollusca have calcareous shells e.g. snails, while some don’t have shells e.g. the Octopus and Slug
VI. Mollusca are aquatic mostly but a few are terrestrial
VII. Mollusca eyes and tentacles are mainly used for navigation and sensitivity
VIII. Examples of Mollusca are Squid, mussels, periwinkles, and snails. Oysters, Octopus and Slug
- ARTHROPODA
CHARACTERISTICS OF ARTHROPODS - The Arthropoda is the largest phylum in the animal kingdom. It is subdivided into the following
i. CRUSTACEA
ii. INSECTA
iii. ARACHNIDA
iv. MYRIAPODA
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ARTHROPODSi. Arthropoda possesses segmented bodies
ii. Arthropoda have a hard, rigid exoskeleton made of chitin
iii. Arthropoda have joined appendages or jointed legs used for feeding, movement, and reproduction and some serve as sensory organs
iv. Arthropoda exhibits moulting or ecdysis. This means they shed their exoskeleton at certain stages to permit growth
v. Arthropoda are aquatic while some are terrestrial
vi. Arthropoda bodies are divided into two or three segments such as the head, thorax and abdomen
vii. Arthropoda bodies are bilaterally symmetrical
viii. Arthropoda are triploblastic, i.e. they have three body layers
ix. Arthropoda have various means of respiration which are gills, trachea, lung book or the body surface
x. Examples are
a. INSECT- GRASSHOPPER, COCKROACH, HOUSEFLY, BUTTERFLY
b. ARACHNIDA- SPIDER, SCORPION, TICKS AND MITES
c. CRUSTACEANS- CRAB, CRAYFISH, SHRIMPS, PRAWNS AND LOBSTERS
d. MYRIOPDA- CENTIPEDES AND MILIPEDES
- ECHINODERMATA
CHARACTERISTICS OF Echinodermata
i. Echinodermata bodies are radially symmetrical
ii. Echinodermata are mainly aquatic animals
iii. Echinodermata have spiny skin
iv. Echinodermata are triploblastic animals
v. Echinodermata have no brain nor head and their body is not segmented
vi. Echinodermata has tube feet which is used for movement
vii. Examples are Starfish, Sea urchins, Bristle Star and Sea cucumbers
- CHORDATA
CHARACTERISTICS OF CHORDATA
The Chordata has a sub-phylum called Vertebrata.
Vertebrates are characterized by the presence of a backbone or vertebral column. They are divided into five classes. These are
i. Pisces-Fishes
ii. Amphibia-Amphibians
iii. Reptilia-Reptiles
iv. Aves-Birds
v. Mammalia-Mammals
General characteristics of Vertebrata
i. The vertebrates possess an internal jointed skeleton made up of cartilage or bones
ii. Vertebrates have bilaterally symmetrical bodies
iii. Vertebrates body is divided into a head, trunk and tail
iv. Vertebrates have two pairs of limbs. The pectoral limbs form the forelimbs or wings while the pelvic limbs form the hind-limbs or legs
v. Vertebrates have well-developed nervous systems with brain and spinal cord
vi. Vertebrates have well-developed sense organs
vii. Vertebrates have a well-enclosed blood system which comprises the blood vessels and the heart
viii. Vertebrates have an efficient excretory system such as the kidneys
ix. Vertebrates are triploblastic animals
x. Vertebrates have skins which may be naked or have a covering of scales, hairs or feathers
A. PISCES-FISHES, CHARACTERISTICS OF FISHES OR PISCES
i. Fishes or Pisces are aquatic animals. They can be found in the sea, lakes, rivers and ponds
ii. Pisces or Fishes skins are covered with scales but few are without scales
iii. Fishes or Pisces have fins which are used for movement in the water
iv. Pisces or Fishes are Poikilothermic or cold-blooded animals. That means that their body temperature varies with that of their environment
v. Pisces or Fishes have gills that are used for gases exchange
vi. Pisces or fishes have lateral lines system. This is used for the detection of vibrations and pressure in the water
vii. Reproduction In Pisces or Fishes are mostly sexual but they have this external type of fertilization process
viii. Pisces or Fishes have what we term a swim bladder which they use to maintain buoyancy. That is floating on topwater ix. Fishes are Oviparous animals. That is to say, they develop their eggs outside the body of an adult female fish
x. Pisces or Fishes have a two-chambered heart
xi. Pisces or Fishes show Parental care for their young ones
Fishes of Pisces can be further divided into two groups based on their skeletal system. These are bony and cartilaginous fishes
i. Bony fish: these are fishes with bony skeletons e.g. tilapia, carp, salmon mackerel, herring
ii. Cartilaginous fish: these are fishes whose bones are made up of cartilages, e.g. dogfish, minnow fish, skate, ray-fish and sharks
AMPHIBIA
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF AMPHIBIANS
Amphibians are a class of cold-blooded vertebrate animals that typically have moist skin, lay soft-shelled eggs, and undergo metamorphosis from a water-breathing, aquatic larva to an air-breathing, terrestrial adult. This class includes animals such as frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians.
Most amphibians have four limbs, but some species, such as caecilians, have no limbs, while others, such as the aquatic frog species, have webbed feet. Amphibians are found all over the world, except in Antarctica, and they play an important role in their ecosystems as both predators and prey.
Amphibians are facing numerous threats, such as habitat loss, pollution, climate change, disease, and over-harvesting for the pet trade and food. As a result, many amphibian populations are declining, and some species are even facing extinction.
I. Amphibians are poikilothermic or cold-blooded animals
II. Amphibians have two pairs of limbs, fore-limbs and hind-limbs
III. Amphibians have naked/moist and glandular skin with no external scales
IV. Amphibians carry out gaseous exchange by gills, lungs, skin and mouth
V. Amphibians reproduce sexually while fertilization takes place externally
VI. Amphibians young ones called tadpoles are herbivores while adult amphibians are carnivores
VII. Amphibians have poisonous glands on their skins used for defence
VIII. Amphibians have three-chambered heart
IX. Amphibians have a sticky tongue which can be protruded or retracted quickly
X. Amphibians exhibit a dual lifestyle. They live both in water and on land
XI. Amphibians do not show parental care
XII. Examples are toads, frogs, salamanders and newts
AVES-BIRDS, CHARACTERISTICS OF BIRDS
i. Birds are homoeothermic or warm-blooded animals
ii. Birds’ entire body is covered with feathers except for the legs have scales
iii. Birds have two pairs of limbs
iv. Birds have wings which are used for flight
v. Birds have beaks and not teeth which are used for feeding
vi. Birds have rigid and hollow bones with air sacs which them very light during flight
vii. Birds have a four-chambered heart
viii. They reproduce sexually and fertilization is internal
ix. Birds exhibit an Oviparous mode of reproduction
x. Birds have lungs which are used for gaseous exchange
xi. Birds show parental care
xii. Examples are the pigeon, domestic fowl, duck, parrot, eagle, hawk, sparrow and weaver bird
MAMMALIA-CHARACTERISTICS OF MAMMALS
i. Mammals are homoiothermic or warm-blooded animals
ii. Mammalian bodies are usually covered with hairs
iii. Mammals have heterodont dentition, meaning they have different sets of teeth
iv. The mammalian internal cavity is divided into the chest and abdomen by a muscular diaphragm
v. They possess lungs used for gaseous exchange
vi. Mammals have two pairs of limbs
vii. The mammalian skin contains glands like the sweat, sebaceous and mammary glands
viii. Reproduction in mammals is sexual and fertilization is internal
ix. Mammals have a viviparous mode of reproduction, which means they give birth to their young ones alive
x. Mammals have a well-developed brain
xi. They have a four-chambered heart
xii. The body of a typical mammal is bilaterally symmetrical
xiii. Mammals have external ears called pinnae
xiv. Mammals show parental care to their young ones
xv. Examples are man, rabbit, goad, dog, sheep, whales, lion and elephant
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