Broad Classification of Kingdom Animalia

Animal Kingdom • Biology

Concept Summary

The broad classification of Animalia is built on the common fundamental features discussed so far. At the first level, cellular organisation separates Porifera, which are mostly asymmetrical with a cellular level of organisation, from animals showing tissue, organ or organ system levels. Among the latter, symmetry gives two branches. Radially symmetrical animals include Coelenterata (Cnidaria) and Ctenophora. Bilaterally symmetrical animals are subdivided by their body cavity. Those without a body cavity are acoelomates, represented by Platyhelminthes. Those with a false coelom are pseudocoelomates, represented by Aschelminthes. Those with a true coelom are coelomates, comprising Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Hemichordata and Chordata. Echinodermata exhibits radial or bilateral symmetry depending on the stage, since adults are radial and larvae are bilateral. Segmentation is present in Annelida, Arthropoda and Chordata. The digestive system is absent in Porifera, incomplete in Coelenterata, Ctenophora and Platyhelminthes, and complete in all higher phyla. Circulatory and respiratory systems are absent in the lower phyla, with a circulatory system first appearing in Annelida and a respiratory system in Arthropoda onwards. This pattern of features is the key to answering comparison questions about phyla in NEET.

Key Notes
  • Porifera: cellular level, mostly asymmetrical, no true body cavity.
  • Cnidaria and Ctenophora: tissue level, radial symmetry.
  • Platyhelminthes: bilateral, acoelomate, organ level.
  • Aschelminthes: bilateral, pseudocoelomate, organ-system level.
  • Coelomates: Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Hemichordata, Chordata.
  • Echinodermata: radial (adult) or bilateral (larva) depending on stage.
  • Segmentation present only in Annelida, Arthropoda and Chordata.
  • Digestive system complete from Aschelminthes onwards; incomplete in Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Platyhelminthes.
  • Circulatory system present from Annelida onwards; respiratory system from Arthropoda onwards.
Important Equations

Animal kingdom

\[ \text{Animalia} = \text{Non-chordata (Porifera to Hemichordata)} + \text{Chordata} \]

Bilateral coelomates

\[ \text{Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Hemichordata, Chordata} \]
Flow Chart
Kingdom Animalia (multicellular)
Mind Map
  • Classification of Animalia
    • Cellular level
      • Porifera: mostly asymmetrical
    • Radial animals
      • Coelenterata (Cnidaria)
      • Ctenophora
    • Bilateral animals
      • Acoelomates: Platyhelminthes
      • Pseudocoelomates: Aschelminthes
      • Coelomates: Annelida to Chordata
Graphic Organiser
Phylum Level of organisation Symmetry Coelom Segmentation Digestive system Circulatory system Respiratory system Distinctive features
PoriferaCellularVariousAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentBody with pores and canals in walls
Coelenterata (Cnidaria)TissueRadialAbsentAbsentIncompleteAbsentAbsentCnidoblasts present
CtenophoraTissueRadialAbsentAbsentIncompleteAbsentAbsentComb plates for locomotion
PlatyhelminthesOrgan and organ-systemBilateralAbsentAbsentIncompleteAbsentAbsentFlat body, suckers
AschelminthesOrgan-systemBilateralPseudocoelomateAbsentCompleteAbsentAbsentOften worm-shaped, elongated
AnnelidaOrgan-systemBilateralCoelomatePresentCompletePresentAbsentBody segmentation like rings
ArthropodaOrgan-systemBilateralCoelomatePresentCompletePresentPresentExoskeleton of cuticle, jointed appendages
MolluscaOrgan-systemBilateralCoelomateAbsentCompletePresentPresentExternal skeleton of shell usually present
EchinodermataOrgan-systemRadialCoelomateAbsentCompletePresentPresentWater vascular system, radial symmetry
HemichordataOrgan-systemBilateralCoelomateAbsentCompletePresentPresentWorm-like with proboscis, collar and trunk
ChordataOrgan-systemBilateralCoelomatePresentCompletePresentPresentNotochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, gill slits with limbs or fins