Phylums of the Kingdom Animalia
A phylum is the level of hierarchy in the Phylogenetic tree which is present between Kingdom and Class (Though there are different levels, such as sub-phylum, sub-class)
The definition of phylum in Biology goes by “a taxonomic rank above class and below kingdom”. There are International Codes of Nomenclature that accept these taxonomic ranks as universal — meaning they are applicable on all living forms whether it be plant phylum, animal phylum, fungi phylum, protista phylum, or bacteria phylum. Many botanists prefer to use “Division” in place of “Phylum” but both are acceptable according to the International Code for Plant Nomenclature.[1] The Phylums are indeed a very important level of hierarchy.
The Kingdom Animalia, is divided into two sub-kingdoms: the Vertebrata, and Invertebrata. The animals belonging to the Sub-Kingdom Vertebrata posses a backbone [2], also known as the Spine, or Vertebral Column. The vertebrates have only one phylum: Phylum Chordata.
The Phylum Chordata is further divided into classes:
- Class Agnatha (jawless fishes)
- Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes)
- Class Osteichthyes (bony fishes)
- Class Amphibia (amphibians)
- Class Reptilia (reptiles)
- Class Aves (birds)
- Class Mammalia (mammals)
The Sub-Kingdom Invertebrata comprises of the following Phylums:[3]
- Phylum Porifera
- Phylum Cnidaria
- Phylum Platyhelminthes
- Phylum Echinodermata
- Phylum Mollusca
- Phylum Arthropoda
- Phylum Echinodermata
- Phylum Annelida
- Phylum Hemichordata
The list of all Phylums in the Animal Kingdom with their examples[edit]
| Groups of Invertebrate Animals | Examples |
|---|---|
| Phylum Porifera | Sponges, Sycon |
| Phylum Cnidarians | Jellyfish, corals, sea anemones, hydra |
| Phylum Platyhelminthes | Flatworms, liverflukes, tapeworms |
| Phylum Echinodermata | Starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers |
| Phylum Mollusca | Snails, squids, octopus |
| Phylum Nematoda | Ascaris, hookworms, pinworms, whipworm |
| Phylum Arthropoda | Crabs, spiders, centipedes, barnacles, butterflies, millepedes |
| Phylum Annelida | Earthworms, leeches |
| Phylum Chordata | Humans, Cats, Dogs. |
Information regarding the Phylums[edit]
Phylum Porifera (Pore-Bearing Organisms)[edit]
- Poriferans are animals that have a huge amount of pores on their bodies and are also called sponges as they resemble Sponges due to pores.
- They are multi cellular sedentary organisms which have a cylindrical and asymmetrical body.
- Water enters their body through the pores called ostia and exits from one or bigger pores called osculum.
- They are found in shallow ocean environments to depths as great as five kilometers (km).[4]
- Examples: Sycon, Spongilla, etc.
Phylum Cnidaria (Body-Cavity and Stinging Cells)[edit]
- Cnidarians are aquatic animals that have a tubular body and one opening, the mouth.
- The mouth is surrounded by finger-like projections called tentacles for catching food and prey.
- The tentacles have stinging cells that help them in defense and capturing prey. Hence they are called cnidarians. (Cnidarians means Organisms with Stinging cells)
- These organisms show Radial Symmetry. This means that it can be divided into two equal halves along any vertical plane.
- Examples: Jelly fish, sea anemone, hydra, corals etc.
Phylum Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)[edit]
- Platyhelminthes are also called flat worms as their body is flat, and thin.
- They do not have a body cavity and are bilaterally symmetrical, meaning that the Left and right sides are identical.
- They possess a segmented body.
- Examples: Tape worm, Planaria, Liver fluke
Phylum Aschelminthes or Nemathelminthes (Also called as Nematoda)[edit]
- Nematodes have an elongated, bilaterally symmetrical thread-like body
- They are cylindrical.
- Example: Ascaris, Loricifera, Pinworm, Whipworm, etc.
Phylum Annelida (segmented worms)[edit]
- Annelids are also called segmented worms as their entire body is composed of rings or segments, helping in movement.
- Located usually in moist and damp environment.
- They have a body cavity and have special organs for excretion called nephridia.
- Examples: Earthworm, leech, etc.
Phylum Mollusca (Soft unsegmented shelled body)[edit]
- Molluscs have a soft and unsegmented body
- They possess Bilateral Symmetry.
- These animals possess a shell.
- Animals in this phyla have a damp skin.
- Examples: Snail, slug, pearl oyster, octopus, etc.
Phylum Echinodermata (Spiny Skinned animals)[edit]
- Organisms belonging to this phyla possess a spiny skin
- This skin helps for protection.
- These organisms may be either Radially or Bilaterally symmetrical.
- They possess a body cavity.
Phylum Arthropoda (Jointed Legs)[edit]
- Arthropods have jointed legs and a segmented body.
- They possess bilaterl symmetry and their body is divided into three distinct parts- head, thorax and abdomen.
- They possess an exoskeleton.
- Eg. Millipede, centipede, butterfly, etc.
This Phylum (Arthropoda) is further classified into four major classes: [5][edit]
- Crustacea
- Arachnida
- Myriopoda
- Insecta
References[edit]
- ↑ "Phylum". Biology Articles, Tutorials & Dictionary Online. 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ↑ "The Learning Zone: Animal I.D." www.oum.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ↑ "List of 11 Important Phylum | Animal Kingdom". Biology Discussion. 2016-08-30. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ↑ "Phylum Porifera | manoa.hawaii.edu/ExploringOurFluidEarth". manoa.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
- ↑ "'Arthropod Classes' group - Entomologists' glossary - Amateur Entomologists' Society (AES)". www.amentsoc.org. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
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