Phylum Characteristics and Examples
By: Jose Lozano
Porifera
-no definite symmetry
-body multicellular, few tissues, no organs
-cells and tissues surrounded by a water filled space
Examples
-sponges
Cnidaria
-they are diploblastic
-radially symmetrical
-generally marine, but few species are found in fresh water
-may live in colonies or solitary
Examples
-jelly fish
-sea anemones
-hydra
-corals
-sea pens
-sea pansies
-sea wasps
-sea jellies
Platyhelminthes
-free-living and parasitic unsegmented worms that are dorsroventrally flattened
-spiral cleavage
-complex gut, but still incomplete
Examples
-flatworms
-planaria tapeworms
-turbellarians,
-fluke
-flatworm
Nematoda
-bilaterally symmetrical
-body has more than two cell layers, tissues and organs
-body fluid under high pressure
Examples
-roundworms
-pinworms
-hookworms
Mollusca
-bilaterally symmetrical
-body has more than two cell layers, tissues and organs
-has no true respiratory organs
Examples
-snails
-clams
-oysters
-mussels
-octopuses
-squid
-limpet
-slug
-scuttle-fish
-chitons
Annelida
-bilaterally symmetrical and vermiform
-body has more than two cell layers, tissues, and organs
-has no true respiratory organs
Examples
-common earthworms
-night crawlers
-red wigglers
-leaches
-rag worms
-beard worms
-giant tube worms
-spoon worms
Arthropoda
-bilaterally symmetrical (in most cases)
-body has more than two cell layers, tissues and organs
-body cavity has a true coelom
Examples
-insects
-millipedes
-arachnids
-crustaceans
-spiders
-scorpions
-centipedes
Echinodermata
-possesses 5-rayed symmetry, mostly radial, sometimes bilateral
-body has more than two cell layers, tissues and organs
-body cavity a true coelom
Examples
-father stars
-star fish
-sea urchins
-brittle stars
-sea cucumbers
-sand dollars
-sea lilies
Chordata
Characteristics
-bilaterally symmetrical-body has more than two cell layers, tissues, and organs
-body cavity a true coelom
-without excretory organs
Examples
-animals that have spinal chords
-giraffes
-deer
-leopards
-humans
5 CLASSES OF VERTEBRATES
Amphibians
-amphibians are ectothermic vertebrates
-skin lacks scales, hair, and feathers, and is neither smooth or rough
-they lay eggs in water
-have 3-chambered hearts
-lack claws on their toes
Examples
-frogs
-toads
-salamanders
-newts
Reptiles
-ectothermic vertebrates
-scales, but no hair or feathers
-they have 3-chambered hearts (except alligators and crocodiles)
-have claws (except for those with no legs)
-first animals, in evolution to develop the amniotic egg
Examples
-snakes
-turtles
-lizards
-reptiles
-cold-blooded
Fish
-ectothermic, aquatic vertebrates
-skin is generally covered with scales
-limbs are modified into fins for swimming
-breathe with gills
-lay eggs that must be in water
Examples
-salmon
-clownfish
-starfish
-cold-blooded
Birds
-endothermic vertebrates
-skin is covered with feathers
-4-chambered hearts
-bones are lightweight and usually hollow
-forelimbs are modified as wings
-they lay eggs
Examples
-jays
-robins
-ducks
-birds
-warm-blooded
Mammals
-endothermic vertebrates
-have hair which varies greatly among species
-most have sweat glands
-have sebaceous (fat-secreting) glands
-have different types of teeth
Examples
-deer
-mice
-opossums
-raccoons
-humans
-warm-blooded
-have hair