Chapter#9 Diversity in animals Subject: Biology FSc I

Animals are found almost in all types of habitat. They may be free living motile, sessile or a parasite.
They range in size from worms only seen with a microscope to blue whales. Animals are eukaryotic,
multicellular, ingestive heterotrophs that lack cell walls

Criteria of animal classification

Animal can be classified according to
i) Presence or absence of tissue
ii) Number of tissue layers
iii) Body symmetry
iv) Types of body cavity
Classification based upon organization of tissues
Animals can be classified on the basis of organization of tissues into two subkingdoms.
I) Parazoa:
Parazoa includes the simplest multicellular animals that lack tissue organization but show
division of labour. They are asymmetrical. It includes all the sponges.
II) Eumetazoa
In eumetazoa similar cells are grouped together into a highly coordinated unit called tissue. The
tissues are assembled into large functional units called organs. Different organs operate
together as organ system
Classification based upon number of tissue layers
Animals can be classified on the basis of number of tissue layers as diploblastic and triploblastic
animals.
I) Diploblastic animals
The body of diploblastic animals consist of two germ layers of cells called the ectoderm and
endoderm. Such animals have tissue level of organisation.There is a jelly like non living
mesoglea between the two germ layers. There are no specialized organs. A neuron net is
present. There is only one cavity called gastrovascular cavity with only one opening. Example:
Phylum Cnidaria.
II) Tripoloblastic animals
The body of diploblastic animals consist of three germ layers of cells called the ectoderm,
mesoderm and endoderm. After embryonic development, these germ layers are not distinct as
separate layers, but are represented by the structures formed from them. The animals have
specialized cells, organs and organ systems.Examples: mollusca, insects, vertebrates etc.
Classification based upon type of body symmetry
Animals can be classified according to body symmetry.The subkingdom eumetazoa can be
divided into grade Radiata and grade Bilateria.
I) Grade Radiata
It includes all the animals with radial symmetry having a top and bottom and similar body parts
are arranged as spokes or radiate from a centarl body axis. Example: jelly fish, sea anemone.
Radial symmetry is considered as adaptation for a sessile life.

II) Grade Bilateria

In bilateral symmetry, a plane through the midline of the body divides it into roughly equivalent
right and left halves that are mirror images. The front or anterior end of the animal generally
has a head. The posterior or rear end of the animal may be equipped with a tail. There are well
defined dorsal or ventral surfaces. All animals are triploblastic. Bilateral symmetry is considered
as an adaptation to motility.
Classification based upon type of body cavity
Animals can be grouped on the basis of type of body cavity or coelom. Coelom is a fluid filled
space between outer body wall and digestive tube. Based upon coelom, animals can be:
 Acoelomate
There is no body cavity between the digestive tract and outer body wall, so these animals are
called acoelomate. The mesoderm is tightly packed between ectoderm and endoderm.
Forexample Platyhelminthes (flatworm)
Pseudocoelomate.
If the body cavity develops between mesoderm and endoderm, it is called pseudo coelom (false
cavity). Animals with pseudocolem are called pseudo coelomates. For example: Aschelminthes
(nematodes).
Coelomate
If the body cavity forms within the mesoderm and is completely lined by mesodem, the body
cavity is a true coelom. It is filled with coelomic fluid. Animals with true coelom are called
coelomates.Forexample: Aniamls from annelids to chordates are coelomates

Coelomates can be classified into protostomes and deuterostomes

Protostomes Deuterostomes
i)Eventually, the blastopore develops into a mouth in i) The blastopores in deuterostomes develop into an anal
protostomes. opening as they grow older

ii) It exhibits a distinct cleavage pattern. ii) It has a cleavage pattern that is indeterminate

iii) Essentially, it is made up of a solid ventral cord. iii) It is made up of a nerve cord that is hollow
iv) The gut creates the anus by tunneling its way into iv) The gut forms the mouth by tunneling into the embryo and
the developing embryo. sucking up nutrients.

v) A mouth forms first in protostomes v) An anal opening forma at first in deuterostomes

Basic characteristics of chordates
All chordates possess four basic characteristics whuch are (a) notochord (b) dorsal hollow nervous
system (c) gill slits (d) post anal tail.
I) Notochord:
Definition: The notochord is a solid unjointed rod located in the mid dorsal line between the gut and the
central nervous system outside the coelom.
Function: The notocord serves as an axial endoskeleton, giving support to the body and providing space
for muscle attachment.
Replacement: In some lower chordates, notocord persists throughout life, but in higher chordates it is
partly or wholly replaced in the adult stage by vertebral column or backbone.
II) Dorsal hollow nervous system
The CNS of all chordates consists of a single tubular, fluid filled non gangliated nerve cord.It is situated
along the mid dorsal line above the notocord and outside the coelom.
III) Gill slits or pharyngeal pouches
The gill slits are paired perforations on the lateral sides of the anterior part of the body, leading from
pharynx to exterior.
IV) Post anal tail
It extends beyond anus.It is present atleast in embryos.It regresses into tail bone in humans.
Classification of chordates
The phylum chordata has been sub divided into two sub phyla.
i) Protochordata (Acrania) in which brain is not enclosed in bony case
ii) Craniata in ehich brain is enclosed in bony case and notochord has been replaced by vertebral
column.
Group Protochordata (Acrania)
Protochordata has been divided into two sub phyla. i) Subphylum urochordata ii) subphylum
cephalochordata
I) Subphylum Urochordata
 The body is covered by a covering called tunic so they are called tunicates.
 On the outside are two projections: the incurrent siphon which corresponds to the anterior end
of thr body and excurrent siphon that mark the dorsal side.
 Larva has a mid-dorsal supporting rod, the notochord, in the tail, so the group has been named
urochordata.
 The notochord disappears during metamorphosis, so that adult has no skeleton.
 Examples: Ascadia ,Halosymmthia
II) Subphylum Cephalochordata
 Body is fish like.
 It has no head but tail present.
 Notochord extends the entire length of the body.
 There is no organ of respiration.
 Example Amphioxus
Group Craniata
Craniata has one subphylum i.e vertebrata
Subphylum Vertebrata
The characteristics that give the members of this group the name vertebrata and craniata are spinal
column of vertebrae, which forms the chief skeletal axis of the body and a brain case or cranium.
Subphylum vertebrata is divided into two super classes: i) Agnatha ii) Gnathostomata
I) Super class Agnatha (jawless fishes)
It is divided into two classes.
i) Myxini
 Body slender, eel like, and rounded with naked skin.
 There are no paired appendages and no dorsal fin.
 Biting mouth with two rows of eversible teeth.
 Five to sixteen gills for respiration
 Brain is degenerate
 Sexes united,fertilization external
 Example: Hag fish
ii) Cephalospidomorphi

 Body cylindrical, stout

 There are one or two median fins and no paired appendages
 Sucker mouth with horny teeth on tongue
 Seven pair of gills for respiration
 Brain is well developed
 Sexes separate, fertilization external
 Example: Lamprey
II) Super class Gnathostomata
It is divided into six classes: Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and Mammalia.
1. Class chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous fishes)
 Body is laterally compressed and spindle (fusiform) shaped.
 Mouth is ventral
 Olfactory sacs are not connected to mouth cavity
  Skin is tough and covered with minute palcoid scale
 Paired pectoral and pelvic fins.
 Two dorsal fins, caudal fin is heterocercal(a tail with the upper lobe larger than the lower)
 Cartilaginous endoskeleton
 Stomach is J shaped
 Circulatory system consists of two chambered heart,5-7 pairs of aortic arches
 Respiratory system consists of 5-7 pairs of gills without operculum
 Swim bladder is absent
 Sexes are separate, gonads are paired, fertilazation is internal
 Most forms are oviparous or viviparous.
 Examples: sharks, dogfishes,rays, skatesand chimaeras
2. Class Osteichthyes (Bony fishes)

 Usually spindle-shaped and streamlined

 Mouth is terminal
 Endoskeleton is partly or wholly bony
 Vertebrae numerous, pelvic girdle is absent
 Notochord is reduced
 Skin usually contain dermal scales embedded in dermis
 Paired pectoral and pelvic fins.
 Single dorsal fins, caudal fin is heterocercal(a tail with the upper lobe larger than the lower)
 Four pairs of gills supported by bony arch with operculum
 Swim bladder is present
 Circulatory system consists of two chambered heart, 4 pair of aortic arches
 Sexes are separate, gonads are paired, fertilization is generally external
 Most forms are oviparous, some are ovoviviparous
 Examples: Sea horse, latimeria, Labeo rohita
3. Class Amphibia

 Varies in forms, is divisible only into head and trunk

 Most have two pairs of pentadactyl limbs
 Skin is smooth moist and rich in glands. Some glands are poisonous, chromatophore pigment
cells in the skin.
 Scales are absent
 Respiration takes place by gills in larva and by lungs in adults.
 Double circulation takes place through three chambered heart.
 Sexes are separate, gonads are paired, and fertilization may be external or internal.
 Most forms are oviparous
 Anamniotes, Development takes place through metamorphosis
 Body temperature is variable i.e poikilothermic
 Hibernate in winters
 Example: frogs,toads, salamanders, caecilian, mud puppy
4. Class Reptilia
 Variable in form, elongated and flat, divided into head, neck and trunk + tail
 two pairs of pentadactyl limbs
 skin is cornified,rough and dry
 Circulatory system consists of incompletely 4 chambered heart, have two atria and partly
divided ventricle
 Respiration takes place by lungs
 Body temperature is variable i.e poikilothermic, cold blooded
 Most forms are oviparous. Eggs are large, amniotic and protected by leathery or slimy shells for
protection
 Sexes are separate, gonads are paired, and fertilization is internal
 Embryo is protected by three embryonic membranes known as amnion, allantois and chorion.
 Examples: tortoise, lizard, snake, crocodile and alligator

5. Class Aves
 Body is streamlined, boat shaped and divided into head , neck, trunk and tail
 Two pairs of pentadactyl limbs: forelimbs are modified to form wings.
 Skin is covered by an epidermal horny exoskeleton of feathers all over the body and scales on
the feet.
 Skeleton is light due to air spaces, skull has large sockets. Jaws extended into horny beak
 Respiration takes place by lungs
 Birds are endothermic
 Voice box the syrinx lies at the junction of trachea and bronchi
 Circulatory system consists of 4 chambered heart, two atria and two ventricles. There is only
right aorta.
 Alimentary canal has muscular structure called gizzard, which is used for crushing food.
 Pair of kidneys, ureter opens into cloaca, urinary bladder is absent.
 Sexes are separate, fertilization is internal. Only one ovary and oviduct is functional.
 Oviparous. Eggs are large with yolk.
 Some birds have lost the power of flight called Running birds e.g ostrich and kiwi.
Class Mammlia
 Body is variously shaped
 Divisible into head+neck+trunk+tail
 Coelom divided to cavities.
 Two pairs of pentadactyl limbs.
 These are variously adapted for walking, running, burrowing and swimming or flying.
 Skin is glandular.
 Mostly covered by hair.
 Endoskeleton is fully ossified.
 Skull has two occipital condyles, large cranium.
 External ear or pinna is present.
 There is a chain of three bones in the ear incus, malleus and stapes.
 Mammals have deciduous and permanent teeth.
 Only through lungs
 Diaphragm present
 Voice apparatus is well developed, and consists of larynx and epiglottis.
 Heart is four chambered.
 Only left aortic arch is present.
 Double circulation.
 Red blood cells are non-nucleated
 Mammals give birth to their young ones.
 Mammals feed them on milk produced by mammary glands of mother
Classification
 Mammals are classified into three subclasses:
i) Prototheria: egg laying mammals
 It is a connecting link between reptiles and mammals and
 The mammalian feature of the monotremes is that the female has mammary glands and they feed
their youngs.
 The reptilian features include the presence of cloaca and cloacal opening
 Certain members of this sub-class are adapted for aquatic life, e.g., Duck bill platypus, which has a
bill similar to that of a duck and has webbed toes.
 Monotremes are found in Australia. The examples of monotremes are Duckbill platypus and
Echidna-spiny ant eater.
ii) Metatheria: pouched mammals
 The females have an abdominal pouch the marsupium, where they rear their young.
 The young one's when borne are immature.
 The nipples are in the pouch.
 The mother feeds the young ones and carries them in the pouch till they are matured enough.
 The Marsupials are found in Australia and America.
 The examples of marsupials are: opossum, kangaroo and Koala
iii) Eutheria: placental mammals
 Development of young one takes place inside the body of the mother.
 The young's are borne fully developed.
 Developing placental mammals are dependent on placenta
 The young ones are born at a relatively advanced stage of development.
 All the placental mammals have maximum mammalian characteristics.
 In some hair have been modified into scales in pangolin, and spines in porcupine.
 Examples of the placentalis are man, whale, elephant, horse, rat, mice, bat, dolphin, cat, tiger, lion,
monkey, gorilla etc.