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Lab 6: An Introduction to
Animal Diversity
Most people, when they think of animals, think of those similar to ourselves: dogs, cats, horses, apes, tigers and other mammals. However, the Kingdom Animalia is in fact a very diverse one, with mammals being just a minor group in terms of numbers of species. Actually, in terms of diversity and numbers, the Arthropods are far and away dominant and arguably the most important group ecologically. This lab features some of the more common animal Phyla. Work in pairs, using this handout as a guide to examine the names, characteristics and examples from each of the phyla represented. Major characteristics are provided. Also, space is available for you to sketch representative members of this kingdom and take additional notes. Kingdom Animalia Major Characteristics: Major Ecological Roles: Commercial, economic and medical importance to us: Taxonomy: Kingdom: Phyla: Class: Order: Family: Genus: Species:
There are purportedly hundreds of phyla in the Animal Kingdom. However, general agreement among taxonomists exists for only approximately 33 or
- In today’s lab, we will examine only some of those. At the end of today’s lab you should be able to name these phyla, their general characteristics and be able to accurately place specimens into their correct phyla. In a few cases, we will show you various classes of a phyla. Phyla Name Description Porifera (sponges) No tissues, organs, nervous system, appendages Most aymmetrical (a few radial) Have internal skeleton of CaC03 or silica Filter feeders by circulating water through pores Cnidaria Jellyfish, anemones, Hydra, corals Radial symmetry Polyp body plan: sessile (stalked as Hydra, anemones) or medusa body plan (jellyfish) Loose tissue layers Stinging cells for offense/defense (some stings are lethal to humans) Cnidaria= nettle Corals make reefs of CaC03 which they secrete around their soft bodies: very, very important ecologically and economically. Platyhelminthes Flatwor,s flukes, tapeworms Many parasitic, some free-living (usually aquatic) Primitive nervous system (except tapeworm) Incomplete digestive system (what goes in/comes out of same opening) 1 st to show bilateral symmetry with cephalization Nematoda Unsegmented round worms Both parasitic and free living No true body segmentation/ Trichinella (parasite of us, pigs) Ascaris (intestinal round worm) Tubatrix (the vinegar eel)
Arthropoda 85% of animal kingdom Biggest, most divers and most important phylum Contains 1 million + species, body usually segmented Exoskeleton made of chin (proteinaceous , hard, impermeable covering), bilateral symmetry, compelte digestive tract, elaborately jointed appendages 3 major classes Crustacea: crabs, shrimps, lobsters, crayfish, barnacles, 10+ appendages, most marine Arachnida: spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, body in 2 major segments, 8 legs, wingless Insecta: grasshoppers, flies, moths, butterflies, beetles, bees, lice, etc, most abundant, diverse & widespread of all animals, body in 3 major segments (head, thorax, abdomen), 6 legs, most winged as adults Echinodermata Seastars, urchins, sand dollars, brittle stars, sea cucumbers Radial symmetry as adults, larvae are bilateral, No head, brain segmentation, skin with tiny projections Show some chordate characteristics embryologically Chordate Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals At some point in their life cycles, all chordates have a dorsal nerve cord running down the back, a notochord (cartilage supporting rod lying just beneath the nerve cord), pharyngeal gill slits
Subphylum: Vertebrata Most chordates are in this group Backbone or vertebral column’ INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING CLASSES CLASSES of Chordates Chondrichthyes: sharks and rays. Fish w/ cartilaginous skeletons, not bone Osteichthyes: trout, salmon, goldish, Have a bony skeleton, gills covered by operculum Amphibia: frogs, toads, nets, salamanders Have dual life: adults usually terrestrial, larvae are aquatic with gills, most thin skinned, eggs without shells, First vertebrates to live out of water, new feaures for life on land include legs, lungs (not in all), nostrils, Ectothermic (body temp varies according to outside, environmental temp) Reptilia: lizards. Snakes, turtles, tortoises, crocs and alligators, dinosaurs, 1 st^ vertebrates completely adapted to terrestrial living Shelled, amniotic eggs ( no need for water) Thick, scaly skin, retards water loss Limbs capable of rapid locomotion (lacking in snakes) Ectothermic with behavioral temperature regulation Internal fertilization (why important for land dwellers)
QUESTIONS
Name the phyla to which each animal below belongs.
- black widow spider
- Siberian tiger
- tape worm
- seagull
- sea urchin
- sponge bob Describe an ecological role for the following organisms: a) earthworms b) coral c) sea anemone Your friend tells you that they are confused between 2 words: arachnid and arthropod. Explain to them the difference.
What class of mammal do each animal below belong? a) Horse b) sting ray c) bald eagle d) dolphin e) dinosaur Name1 more class of mammals not mentioned above and give an example. What characteristics define the term “Mammal”? What general characteristics are possessed by both animal kingdom and plant kingdom? What characteristics do they not share?
