Concept explainers
To enlist:
The characteristics and representatives of the given animal phyla.
Introduction:
Animal phyla include a list of the major groups of animals that include invertebrates and vertebrates. Invertebrates are the animals that do not have a backbone and the vertebrates are the backbone bearing animals.
Explanation of Solution
The key characteristics and the representatives of the animal phyla are described in the following table.
Phylum |
Characteristics |
Representatives |
Sponges |
They are included in phylum porifera. It is a simple animal with no mouth, heart or muscles. It is sessile animal containing many pores and cells for filter feeding. Asymmetrical. |
Sponges and common bath sponge. |
Cnidarians |
They are aquatic animals. Coelom is absent. They contain cnidocyte cells to capture prey. Radial symmetry. |
Sea anemone, jellyfish, corals and Obelia. |
|
Included in phylum Platyhelminthes. No body cavity. Bilateral symmetry. |
Planaria and tape worms. |
Nematodes |
They have complete |
Roundworms and hookworms. |
Molluscs |
They have a soft and unsegmented body. Have mantle and the muscular foot. |
Snails, squids, octopus and mussels. |
Annelida |
They are the true segmented worms. Have closed circulatory system. |
Earthworms and leeches. |
Arthropods |
Presence of jointed legs, antennae, exoskeleton and closed circulatory system. Bilateral symmetry. |
Insects, crab and millipedes. |
Echinoderms |
They have spiny skin, water vascular system, body containing 5 equal segments and tube feet. Radial symmetry. |
Star fish and sea urchin. |
Chordates |
Presence of notochord, dorsal nerve chord, gill slits and bilateral symmetry. |
Mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. |
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