Kingdom Animalia Classification Flashcards

Kingdom Animalia

• Multicellular organisms that are heterotrophic.
• Reproduction primarily occurs through sexual means.

Phylum Porifera

• Includes sponges, aquatic animals with asymmetrical body structures.
• Composed of two cell layers, capable of asexual and sexual reproduction.

Phylum Echinodermata

• Characterized by a water vascular system and internal skeleton.
• Features spiny skin and symmetry; examples include starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers.

Phylum Annelida

• Known as segmented worms, possessing a complete digestive tract.
• Features a closed circulatory system and a ventral nervous system.

Phylum Nematoda

• Comprises roundworms with long, cylindrical bodies.
• Equipped with a digestive system featuring a mouth and anus; most are parasitic.

Phylum Cnidaria

• Aquatic organisms with symmetrical, saclike bodies and two cell layers.
• Exhibits two body forms: medusa and polyp; includes jellyfish, corals, and anemones, reproducing sexually.

Phylum Arthropoda

• Characterized by segmented bodies and jointed appendages.
• Possesses an exoskeleton for support and protection.

Class Crustacea

• Distinctive for having two pairs of antennae; primarily aquatic.
• Respiration occurs via gills; examples include lobsters and crabs.

Class Arachnida

• Lacks antennae; comprises two body regions and four pairs of legs.
• Includes species such as spiders and scorpions.

Class Insecta

• Features include one pair of antennae, three body regions, and three pairs of legs.
• Many insects have two pairs of wings; examples are flies, ants, and beetles.

Phylum Mollusca

• Soft-bodied, unsegmented creatures with a muscular foot and mantle.
• Possesses a radula and well-developed digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems.

Class Bivalvia

• Notable for a two-part hinged shell and absence of a head or radula.
• Examples include clams, oysters, and mussels.

Class Gastropoda

• Characterized by a head with tentacles; most possess a spiraled shell.
• Includes snails and slugs among its members.

Class Cephalopoda

• Features a large head surrounded by arms or tentacles.
• Shell may be absent, internal, or external; highly developed nervous systems found in species like octopuses and squids.

Phylum Chordata

• Defined by the presence of a notochord, paired gill slits, and a dorsal nerve cord.

Subphylum Vertebrata

• Distinguished by an enlarged brain and vertebral column encasing the dorsal nerve cord.

Class Chondrichthyes

• Comprises fish with skeletons made of cartilage, equipped with movable jaws and fins.
• Sharks serve as a prominent example.

Class Osteichthyes

• Features a bony skeleton, movable jaws, overlapping scales, paired fins, and an air bladder.
• Includes species like salmon, trout, and carp.

Class Amphibia

• Moist, smooth skin lacking scales; possesses four limbs.
• Requires water for reproduction; examples include frogs and toads.

Class Reptilia

• Notable for dry, scale-covered skin and four limbs.
• Internal fertilization occurs, with organisms having lungs and a three-chambered heart; includes turtles and alligators.

Class Aves

• Birds with feathers; front limbs adapted as wings.
• Eggs are encased in hard shells, with a four-chambered heart and warm-blooded metabolism; includes robins and chickens.

Class Mammalia

• Mammals nourish their young with milk, characterized by fur or hair covering.
• Possesses a four-chambered heart and is warm-blooded; notable examples include humans, mice, and tigers.

Explore the diverse world of the Animal Kingdom with this set of flashcards focused on key classifications. Each card highlights critical characteristics of various phyla, from sponges to echinoderms. Perfect for biology students looking to enhance their understanding of animal classification.