Animal PhylaBy :Luis Flores

Porifera Porifera are simply sponges; these types of sponges are

entirely aquatic. There are roughly 15k species total of porifera. All around that body they all have pores which allow water to enter and leave its body. These pores are used as filter for the water. As for their feed the sponges use the pores to obtain their food from the water they filter. Through canals in their bodies sponges move the water throughout their body and use the oxygen from the water for respiration. Sponges can move slowly by directing their water current in a certain direction with myocytes. Sponges reproduce by budding and sexually. In response to danger/predators porifera secrete poisons as their defense mechanism. A sponge has CO2 and other wastes removed as the water moves in and out.

Sponges Examples: Tube Sponge, tube sponge, and

common sea squirt.

Cnidaria Cnidarias include corals, sea anemones, jellyish, and

hydras. Cnidarias have tentacles with stinging structures called nematocysts extending from their bodies. Cnidarias are carnivorous. Their prey first becomes entangled by their nematocysts which are shrouded with threads which secrete venom and paralyze the victim. The tentacles then bring the prey into the mouth. Cnidarians use diffusion for respiration, excretion, and circulation. Most cnidarians get carried by the oceans and propel themselves to move however jellyfish contract their “bells” to force water out which propels them forwards. Nervous tissue allows rapid inter-cellular communication which enables coordinated movement and response to stimuli. Cnidarians can reproduce both asexually (budding) and sexually (spawning-sperm-eggs are released into the water column).

Cnidaria Some examples are: jellyfish, sea anemones, and

corals.

Platyhelminth The simplest of the platyhelminths is the flatworm which

has roughly 20k species in its group. They are found in various places and may be free living or parasitic. Platyhelminths contain no skeleton and have tiny cilia which help them maneuver as well as two layers of muscles underneath its skin. Platyhelminths have a combined excretory/digestive system; they take food in and get rid of waste through the same opening. Platyhelminths take in oxygen. Platyhelminths have a gastrovascular cavity which eats small worms and insects. Movement is controlled by longitudinal, circular, and oblique layers of muscle. Others move by the beating of epidermal cilia. Its nervous system enables it to perceive environmental changes and to respond to internal and external stimuli. Platyhelminths reproduce through fragmentation fission (asexual).

Platyhelminthes Some examples are : tapeworms, turbellaria, and

planaria.

Nematoda A type of nematoda is a roundworm. They’re thin, round,

smooth, and can be up to four feet long; they also have no skeleton. Nematodes have no skeleton system. They have a definite digestive system which runs through their bodies; many of them are parasites which live off other organisms. Nematodes have no complex respiration systems however respiration is done through diffusion. Nematodes have no heart or blood vessels for circulation, however it has an anus and a series of excretory tubes. The primary nerves meet in a circular ring of nerves near the head which forms a brain. The sensory stimuli is then translated into motor responses which cause the roundworm to react appropriately. Nematodes move by thrashing their bodies using their long muscles. Nematodes reproduce sexually and some are self-fertilizing organisms which simply replicate themselves.

Nematoda Some examples are: roundworms, thread-worms,

and eel-worms.

Annelida An earthworm is an annelida. They have no skeletal

system however they have setae which help it move. An earthworm has two sets of muscles. For feeding the earthworm eats dirt and contains a digestive system and an esophagus for the food to go down; they have basically a full digestive system like mammals. Earthworms take in oxygen through its skin and gives off CO2. An earthworm has five hearts, blood, and blood vessels. As for the excretion its waste helps fertilize the soil; it gets rid of its wastes through tubes called nephridin which leads to pores that allow the waste out. Annelids respond to stimuli by the cells on their outer body which are light and heat sensitive. Most reproduce sexually why some others may be hermaphrodites.

Annelida Some examples are: earthworms, leaches, and

ragworms

Mollusca A mollusk is a synonym for a shellfish. 3 groupings: hatched-

footed, belly-footed, and head-footed. The body of a mollusk is soft, thick and fleshy-like. Its size varies from small-to six feet across! A mollusk has an outer shell which protects its soft body. A mollusk’s food is brought in through a siphon system which then transports it to its mouth, which then goes to a digestive gland to its intestine. A mollusk has gills which aid it in the extraction of oxygen from water which is brought in by its siphons and it gives off CO2. As for the circulation, a mollusk has a heart, blood and blood vessels. A mollusk has an anus which is called the nephridium that gets rid of waste material. The mollusk has a sort of “muscular foot” which helps it in its movement. In response to stimuli some have the ability to change their body color by pigment cells called chromatophores. Mollusks reproduce sexually with separate sexes and with fertilization is external.

Mollusca Some examples are snails, slugs, and

octopi.

Anthropoda Insects are a part of the anthropoda group. An insect may be very small

and be a variety of colors depending on the species. Insects have an outer skeleton known as an exoskeleton; it has three layers: outer, one-two pairs of wings, and a claw like structure on the final segment. The mouth of insects varies however their digestive systems are similar; it’s a tube which goes from the mouth to the anus and is dived into three sections: foregut, midgut, and the hindgut. Insects breathe through thoracic and abdominal spiracles. Since insects have no lungs, the spiracles go throughout their bodies which give gases. Insects have a circulatory system which carries food, but not oxygen through their bodies. Since insects do not carry oxygen their blood is green unlike that of mammals. The heart is a simple tube which runs along their backs. Insects pass food through their digestive systems and the insect’s feces pass out of its anus from the hindgut. Insects generally reproduce sexually however not always. Insects have many features which aid in their response to stimuli which includes a brain and nerve cells, an antennae which aids in the detections of odors and the touch of objects, and its eyes which perceive vision. The method of movement varies from species to species which ranges from walking to flying, and even to swimming!

Anthropoda Some examples are: Spiders, bees, and

dragonflies.

Enchinodermata Echinodermata(spiny skinned) consists of about 6k living species

which are all marine; they also live only in salt water. An echinoderm has an inner skeleton. Echinoderms have a mouth and a stomach area. The diets of each depends on the species, some are carnivores while others just feed on passing particles; some even eat waste! (yuck) An echinoderm uses some of the bumps/spines on its surface to take in oxygen; they also have a gill like structure which takes in the oxygen. An echinoderm has water pumped through its body due to its very simple circulation system. Echinoderms uses it water vascular for excretion and other purposes such as respiration and movement. Echinoderms use their water vascular system for movement. Echinoderms have both sensory and motor neurons; they respond to stimuli through a nerve ring which surrounds the nerve cords connection to other body areas. Echinoderm reproductive strategies vary from free spawning and indirect development to brooding and direct development. (asexual to sexual)

Echinodermata Some examples are starfish, sea urchin,

and sea cucumbers.

Chordata A chordate consists of a skeleton with a backbone and generally has for

appendages which are in the forms of legs, arms, wings, or fins. The physical appearance of chordates various by species, they come in a wide range of colors. A chordate takes food in through its mouth which consists of a tongue and teeth, however not all have teeth. A chordate has a digestive system which has a stomach, and intestines. Chordates are omnivores so they eat both plants and animals. As for their respiration, chordates take in oxygen and get rid of CO2 through their lungs/gills. The common method of reproduction for chordates is sexual however there are cases of asexual reproduction such as that of urochordates. Chordates have complex skin which is usually covered with either scales, feathers, or hair; they get of waste through their kidneys and intestines. A chordates response to stimuli may vary from species to species however most have a central nervous system and a peripheral nervous system; while others may use their body hairs to aid them in their response to stimuli. Chordates movement is accomplished by contraction of muscle fibers which are arranged in segmented blocks called myotomes.

Chordata Some examples are: birds, amphibians,

and fish.

ReferencesDenning, David. The Animal Phyla. BioMEDIA ASSOCIATE. Retrieved from http://www.ebiomedia.com/the-animal-phyla.htmlMyers, Phil. Annelida segmented worms. Animal

Diversity Web. Retrieved from http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Annelida/

The Respiratory System. Respiratory System. Retrieved fromMollusk Information. Retrieved from http://www.smithlifescience.com/molluskinformation.htmADW: Browse Animalia. Retrieved from http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/