Invertebrate Classification Flashcards

Study Notes

Invertebrate Classification

Porifera: Phylum of sponges, characterized by a porous body and lack of true tissues and organs.
Cnidaria: Phylum including coelenterates with stinging cells and a hollow digestive cavity; classes include Hydrozoa (hydra, Portuguese man-o-war), Scyphozoa (jellyfish), and Anthozoa (coral, sea anemone).
Platyhelminthes: Phylum of flatworms, features three main classes: Turbellaria (planaria), Trematoda (flukes), and Cestoda (tapeworms).
Nematoda: Phylum of roundworms, distinguished by their cylindrical body shape.
Rotifera: Phylum that includes rotifers, microscopic and generally aquatic organisms.
Mollusca: Phylum characterized by soft-bodied organisms often protected by shells; includes classes Polyplacophora (chitons), Gastropoda (snails, slugs), Pelecypoda (clams, oysters), and Cephalopoda (octopuses, squids).
Annelida: Phylum of segmented worms; major classes are Oligochaeta (earthworms), Polychaeta (marine worms), and Hirudinea (leeches).
Arthropoda: Phylum with jointed-foot organisms, divided into subphyla Crustacea (crabs, lobsters), Chelicerata (spiders, scorpions), and Uniramia (insects, millipedes, centipedes).
Echinodermata: Phylum of marine animals with spiny skin; includes classes Echinoidea (sea urchins, sand dollars), Asteroidea (starfish), Crinoidea (sea lilies), Holothuroidea (sea cucumbers), and Ophiuroidea (brittle stars).

Subphylum Details

Crustacea: Subphylum of Arthropoda; features cephalothorax, antennae, mandibles, and typically five pairs of legs and swimmerets.
Chelicerata: Subphylum of Arthropoda; characterized by the absence of antennae, presence of chelicera (pinching mouthparts), and four pairs of legs; includes classes Merostomata (horseshoe crabs) and Arachnida (spiders, ticks).
Uniramia: Subphylum of Arthropoda; features chewing mouthparts and one pair of antennae; includes classes Diplopoda (millipedes), Chilopoda (centipedes), and Insecta (ants, bees, beetles).

Class Specifics

Hydrozoa: Class within Cnidaria, includes freshwater and marine species such as hydra and Portuguese man-o-war.
Scyphozoa: Class within Cnidaria, includes true jellyfish like Aurelia.
Anthozoa: Class within Cnidaria, encompasses coral and sea anemones.
Turbellaria: Class of Platyhelminthes known for planarians.
Trematoda: Class of Platyhelminthes, includes parasites like flukes.
Cestoda: Class of Platyhelminthes, known for parasitic tapeworms.
Polyplacophora: Class of Mollusca, known for having many plates; includes chitons.
Gastropoda: Class of Mollusca, features univalves or "stomach-footed" species like snails and slugs.
Pelecypoda: Class of Mollusca, includes bivalves such as clams, oysters, and scallops.
Cephalopoda: Class of Mollusca, characterized by a head-foot structure; includes octopuses, squids, nautilus, and cuttlefish.
Oligochaeta: Class within Annelida, represented by earthworms.
Polychaeta: Class of marine annelids known for their bristle-like appendages, such as feather duster worms.
Hirudinea: Class of Annelida, includes leeches.
Arachnida: Class of Arthropoda within Chelicerata; includes spiders, ticks, scorpions, and mites.
Merostomata: Class of Chelicerata; includes horseshoe crabs.
Diplopoda: Class of Uniramia; known for millipedes.
Chilopoda: Class of Uniramia; includes centipedes.
Insecta: Class of Uniramia; encompasses many diverse species including ants, bees, and beetles.
Echinoidea: Class within Echinodermata; includes sea urchins and sand dollars.
Asteroidea: Class within Echinodermata; known for starfish.
Crinoidea: Class within Echinodermata; includes sea lilies and feather stars.
Holothuroidea: Class within Echinodermata; known for sea cucumbers.
Ophiuroidea: Class within Echinodermata; includes brittle stars.

Description

Test your knowledge of invertebrate classification with our flashcards! This quiz covers various phyla, including Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, and Rotifera. Perfect for biology students looking to reinforce their understanding of these fascinating organisms.