BIOLOGY NOTES - ANIMAL TAXONOMY
I.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
II. PHYLUM: PORIFERA (Sponges)
A. Morphology - Asymmetric, loose aggregation of cells,
structure maintained via SPICULES; ACOELOMATE
B. Feeding - bring water + plankton in through OSTIA, using
flagellated COLLAR CELLS; exits clean water via OSCULUM
C. Reproduction - male + females excrete gametes into water
D. Ecology
III. PHYLUM: CNIDARIA (jellyfish, corals, anemones, hydroids)
A. Morphology
1. All have CNIDOBLASTS, stinging cells with NEMATOCYSTS
for prey capture; all have 2 tissue layers, a "hollow gut"
(COELTERON), and MESOGLEA (a jelly-like substance used for
flotation and movement; many have separate feeding and
prey-capture tentacles; RADIAL SYMMETRY
B. Feeding
1. Nematocysts stun or kill prey, tentacles bring
food to oral cavity for digestion; waste excreted out
same opening
C. Reproduction
1. Alternation of generations: (SEXUAL) Male + Female
MEDUSA (planktonic) produce and release sperm + eggs into
the water; syngamy; 2n zygote grows into a PLANULA LARVA;
planula settles down on substrate, metamorphoses into a
POLYP; polyp "buds off" tiny clones which become new MEDUSA
adults
2. ASEXUAL = budding
D. Ecology
IV. PHYLUM: CTENOPHORA (comb jellies)
A. Morphology B. Feeding
C. Reproduction
D. Ecology
VI. PHYLUM: PLATYHELMINTHES (flat worms)
A. Morphology
B. Feeding
C. Reproduction
D. Ecology
VII. PHYLUM: NEMATODA (round worms)
A. Morphology
B. Feeding
C. Reproduction
D. Ecology
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VIII. PHYLUM: ANNELIDA (segmented worms)
A. Morphology
B. Feeding
C. Reproduction
D. Ecology
IX. PHYLUM: MOLLUSCA (shelled animals)
A. Taxonomy
1. Class: Gastropoda ("stomach-foot") - snails, nudibranchs
2. Class: Bivalvia ("2 shelled") - clams, scallops, etc.
3. Class: Cephlapoda ("head-foot")-octopus, squid, nautilus
B. Morphology
C. Feeding
D. Reproduction
E. Ecology
XI. PHYLUM: ARTHROPODA ("jointed feet")
A. Taxonomy
1. Class: Insecta (insects)
2. Class: Crustacea (crustaceans, primarily marine)
3. Class: Archnida (spiders, scorpions, mites)
B. Morphology
C. Feeding
D. Reproduction
E. Ecology
XII. PHYLUM: ECHINODERMATA ("spiny-skinned")
A. Morphology
B. Feeding
C. Reproduction
D. Ecology
IV. PHYLUM: CHORDATA ("with a notochord")
A. SUBPHYLUM: UROCHORDATA (sea squirts, tunicates)
1. Morphology
2. Feeding
3. Reproduction
4. Ecology
B. SUBPHYLUM: VERTEBRATA (has a true vertebral column)
1. CLASS: AGANTHA (jawless fish)
a. Morphology: no jaws, many gill pores, 2-chambered
heart, poikilotherms
b. Feeding - parasitic or primary decomposer
c. Ecology 2. CLASS: CHONDRICHTHYES (cartilagenous fish)
a. Morphology: cartilagenous skeleton, solid fins, skin
covered with "teeth", has true jaws, 5-7 gills,
2-chambered heart, oily liver for boyancy; electrosensing, poikilotherms
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b. Feeding - active prey capture with renewable teeth
c. Reproduction - internal fertilization; oviparous,
ovoviparous, or viviparous (k-selected)
d. Ecology - top predators, largest = planktivores
3. CLASS: OSTEICHTHYES (bony fish)
a. Morphology: bony skeleton, fin rays, scales + mucus,
has true jaws, gills, 2-chambered heart, swim bladder,
poikilotherms
b. Feeding - active prey capture or grazing
c. Reproduction - most marine fish release huge numbers of
floating eggs + sperm for external fertilization
(r-selected strategy);
d. Ecology
4. CLASS: AMPHIBIA (frogs, toads, salamanders)
a. Morphology:
b. Feeding c. Reproduction d. Ecology
3. CLASS: REPTILIA (lizards, snakes, turtles, crocodilians)
a. Morphology:
b. Feeding c. Reproduction d. Ecology
3. CLASS: AVES (birds)
a. Morphology:
b. Feeding c. Reproduction d. Ecology
3. CLASS: MAMMALIA (milk-feeders)
a. Taxonomy
1) Monotremes (egg-laying mammals; have milk pores)
ex. platypus, echidna
2) Marsupials (pouched mammals; young born very
undeveloped, crawl to pouch to "finish up")
ex. kangaroos, koala, tasmanian "wolf"
3) Placentals (fetuses stay in uterous attached
to a placenta until fully developed)
ex. humans, dogs, horses, mice, bats
b. Morphology:
b. Feeding c. Reproduction d. Ecology
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