The Animal Kingdom: Phylum Characteristics and Types
by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023
Introduction to the Animal Kingdom
The Animal Kingdom is a collection of multi-celled, eukaryotic organisms that live in a variety of habitats. Animals are characterized by their mobility, complex nervous systems, and the ability to acquire and transform energy. Animals also reproduce sexually, and they vary in size from microscopic organisms to the largest animals on the planet. Level of organization within the Animal Kingdom is generally divided into five distinct categories: phyla, classes, orders, families, and species.
The Phylum
The first level of organization within the Animal Kingdom is the Phylum. A Phylum (singular) can be thought of as a ‘tree’, with living species (plural) classified according to their shared evolutionary history. In other words, all species within a Phylum can trace their ancestry and evolution back to a common ancestor. There are approximately 35 phyla within the Animal Kingdom, and each is characterized by a range of different features that distinguish it from other phyla.
Characteristics of Animal Phyla
Each Phylum can be characterized by certain features, which can include type of locomotion (movement), body symmetry, body organization, and organ systems. These characteristics can vary from Phylum to Phylum, and help to distinguish each Phylum from the others.
Types of Animal Phyla
The animal Phylums are divided into two major categories, the Protostomes and the Deuterostomes. Each category is further divided into smaller phyla, and each Phylum is characterized by its own unique set of features.
The following is a list of some of the more prominent animal phyla:
| Phylum | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Chordata (संयुक्तात्मा) | Characterized by the presence of a spinal cord and/or nerve cord, and include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. |
| Arthropoda (प्रणालिपराक्षी) | Characterized by the presence of a segmented body, paired jointed appendages, and an exoskeleton, and include insects, spiders, scorpions, and crustaceans. |
| Mollusca (मुलुस्के) | Characterized by a soft, unsegmented body, and a mantle (a folded layer of tissue that covers the viscera), and include snails, slugs, bivalves, and squids. |
| Annelida (अनेलिडा) | Characterized by a segmented body and distinct organ systems, and include earthworms, leeches, and polychaetes. |
| Echinodermata (अक्षसाथी) | Characterized by a five-part radial symmetry, a waterproof endoskeleton, and tube feet, and include sea stars, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins. |
| Cnidaria (स्नायु) | Characterized by a two-part radial symmetry, stinging cells (nematocysts), and tentacles, and include jellyfish, hydroids, sea anemones, and corals. |
Conclusion
The Animal Kingdom is a diverse and complex collection of multi-celled, eukaryotic organisms that inhabit a range of habitats. Classification within the Animal Kingdom is generally divided into five distinct categories: phyla, classes, orders, families, and species. Each Phylum is distinguished by a range of different features, such as type of locomotion, body symmetry, body organization, and organ systems. The Protostomes and Deuterostomes are the two major categories of animal Phylums, and each category is further divided into smaller phyla.
It is important to note that the Animal Kingdom is still being studied and classified, and new species are still being discovered. This highlights the continuous importance of the Animal Kingdom, and the dedicated work of scientists and researchers in exploring and understanding the wonders of the natural world.
