Animal Classification

By Mrs. Herman2013

Animals can be classified by what kind of symmetry it has.

Radial Symmetry the animal can be divided into equal

parts that arranged around central

axis.

Bilateral Symmetry can be

divided into two parts that are nearly mirror

images of each other.

Asymmetrycannot be divided into any two parts

that are nearly mirror images of

each other.

Archaebacteria

Eubacteria

Protista

Animalia

Fungi

Plantae

PoriferaCnidaria

PlatyhelmenthesNematodaChordata *

Annelida

Mollusca

ArthropodaEchinodea

fish

amphilbia

reptilia

bird

mammal

Kingdom Phylum Class

Archaebacteria

Eubacteria

Domain

Eukarya

Phylum Porifera Characteristics:

AsymmetricalNo tissues,

organs or organ systems

All live in water Examples:

Sea Sponges

Phylum Cnidaria Characteristics:

Radial symmetryNo organ or organ

systemsAll live in water

Examples: Jellyfish, sea

anemones, hydras and corals

Phylum Platyhelminthes

Characteristics: Bilateral symmetry Have nerve, muscle

and digestive tissue Soft, flattened

bodies Digestive system

only has one opening (mouth)

Examples: Flatworms including

tapeworm

Phylum Nematoda Characteristics:

Bilateral symmetry Have nerve, muscle

and digestive tissues Bodies are round and

covered with stiff outer covering

Digestive system has two openings (mouth and anus)

Examples: roundworm

Phylum Annelida Characteristics:

Bilateral symmetry soft bodies Repeating segments

covered by a thin cuticle Digestive systems have two

opening Circulatory system made of

blood vessels that carry blood throughout their body

Examples: earthworms, leeches and

marine worms

Phylum Mollusca Characteristics:

Bilateral symmetry Bodies are soft Digestive system with two

openings Body contains heart,

stomach and other organs Circulatory system

contains blood but no blood vessels

Must remain wet Examples:

Snails, slugs, clams, mussels, octopi, squid

Phylum Arthropoda Characteristics:

Bilateral symmetry Exoskeletons – thick, hard outer coverings that protect

and support animals’ bodies Jointed appendages Segmented bodies

Examples: Insects, spiders, shrimp, crabs

Groups of ArthropodaArachnids: horseshoe crabs, spiders, tick,

mites, scorpions (adults have 8 legs)

Crustaceans: crabs, lobsters, barnacles, pill bugs.

Insects – 6 legs, 2 antenna, 3 body segments

millipedes and centipedes – many legs

Phylum Echinodermata Characteristics:

Radial symmetry Echinoderm – spiny

skin Thousands of small

muscular fluid-filled tubes called tube feet

Complete digestive system

Only live in oceans Examples:

Sea star, sea cucumbers, sea urchins

Phylum Cordata - Vertebrates Characteristics:

Well developed organ systems Digestive system with two openings Circulatory system that move blood through

the body Nervous systems that include brains

5 Major Classes (groups): Fish Amphibians Birds Reptiles mammals

Fish Most spend their entire lives in water Contain gills for absorbing oxygen gas

from the water Paired fins for swimming

Groups of Fish Jawless fish – hagfish

and lampreys Cartilaginous fish –

have skeletons made of cartilage and include sharks, skates, rays

Bony fish – have skeletons made of bone and include trout, guppies, tuna and thousands of others.

Amphibians Young live in water and

have gills, adults develop lungs and live on land

Amphibians have skeletons made of bone and 4 legs.

Their skin is smooth and moist

Hearts have 3 chambers Lay eggs without shells or

coverings on land. Examples include frogs,

toads and salamanders

Reptiles Skin is water-proof and

covered in scales 3 chambered hearts Have lungs throughout

their lives Lay eggs with leathery

shells Eggs laid on land Includes lizards, snakes,

turtles, crocodiles and alligators

Birds Many birds make nests to hold their eggs Eggs have hard shells Many have unique calls or songs Lightweight bones Skin covered with feathers and scales Two legs and two winds Many can fly Have beaks and do not chew their food 4 chambered hearts

Mammals Have hair or fur Tear and chew their food using teeth Mammary glands that produce milk to feed young. Most birth live young

Groups of mammals Marsupials

Gives birth to live young but the embryo climbs into the mother’s pouch to continue its development.

Examples include kangaroos Koalas Tasmanian devils wombats

Groups of mammals Monotremes

Lays eggs including only five living species

the duck-billed platypus four species of echidna (also known as

spiny anteaters).

Groups of mammals Placental

all bear live young which are nourished before birth by the

placenta Includes 4000 species including

rodents, bats, whales, elephants, shrews, armadillos as well as dogs, cats, sheep, cattle, horses and humans.