Animal Kingdom Flashcards
Features of each phylum and class
What is the most unique mammalian characteristic?
The presence of milk producing glands (mammary glands)
Mammary glands nourish the young ones.
What types of habitats do mammals inhabit?
Polar ice caps, deserts, mountains, forests, grasslands, dark caves
Some mammals have adapted to fly or live in water.
How many pairs of limbs do mammals have?
Two pairs of limbs
Adapted for walking, running, climbing, burrowing, swimming, or flying.
What is unique about the skin of mammals?
Possesses hair
This is a distinguishing feature of mammals.
What type of heart do mammals have?
Four-chambered heart
This structure is essential for efficient circulation.
What type of thermoregulation do mammals exhibit?
Homoiothermous
They can maintain a constant body temperature.
How do mammals respire?
By lungs
They rely on lung-based respiration.
What is the reproductive method of mammals?
Viviparous with few exceptions
Development is direct and fertilization is internal.
What is the defining feature of Class Aves?
Presence of feathers
Most birds can fly, except flightless birds like the Ostrich.
What modifications do the forelimbs of birds undergo?
Modified into wings
This adaptation aids in flight.
How is the skin of birds characterized?
Dry without glands, except for the oil gland at the base of the tail
This is necessary for feather maintenance.
What is the structure of the endoskeleton in birds?
Fully ossified (bony) and long bones are hollow with air cavities (pneumatic)
This adaptation reduces weight for flight.
What additional chambers are found in the digestive tract of birds?
Crop and gizzard
These chambers aid in food processing.
What type of heart do birds have?
Completely four-chambered heart
This structure supports efficient oxygen delivery.
What type of thermoregulation do birds exhibit?
Warm-blooded (homoiothermous)
They can maintain a constant body temperature.
How do birds respire?
By lungs with air sacs connected to lungs
Air sacs supplement respiration.
What is the reproductive method of birds?
Oviparous
Fertilization is internal, and development is direct.
What is the origin of the name ‘Reptilia’?
It refers to their creeping or crawling mode of locomotion
Latin, repere or reptum, to creep or crawl
What type of skin do reptiles have?
Dry and cornified skin, epidermal scales or scutes
Do reptiles have external ear openings?
No, they do not have external ear openings
What does the tympanum represent in reptiles?
The ear
How many pairs of limbs do reptiles have when present?
Two pairs
What is the typical heart structure of reptiles?
Usually three-chambered, but four-chambered in crocodiles
What type of thermoregulation do reptiles exhibit?
Poikilotherms
What do snakes and lizards shed as part of their growth?
Their scales as skin cast
Are reptiles dioecious or monoecious?
Sexes are separate
Is fertilization in reptiles internal or external?
Internal
What is the reproductive method of reptiles?
Oviparous and development is direct
What does the term ‘Amphibia’ mean in Greek?
Dual life
In what types of habitats can amphibians live?
Aquatic and terrestrial habitats
How many pairs of limbs do most amphibians have?
Two pairs
What are the main body divisions of amphibians?
Head and trunk
What type of skin do amphibians have?
Moist skin without scales
Do amphibians have eyelids?
Yes, they have eyelids
What does the tympanum represent in amphibians?
The ear
What is the common chamber where the alimentary canal, urinary, and reproductive tracts open in amphibians?
Cloaca
How do amphibians respire?
By gills, lungs, and through skin
What is the heart structure of amphibians?
Three chambered (two auricles and one ventricle)
What type of thermoregulation do amphibians exhibit?
Cold-blooded
Are amphibians dioecious or monoecious?
Sexes are separate
Is fertilization in amphibians internal or external?
External
What is the reproductive method of amphibians?
Oviparous and development is indirect
What is the class Osteichthyes?
It includes both marine and freshwater fishes with a bony endoskeleton. Their body is streamlined, and the mouth is mostly terminal.
What are the gills like in Osteichthyes?
They have four pairs of gills covered by an operculum on each side.
What type of scales do Osteichthyes have?
Skin is covered with cycloid/ctenoid scales.
What is the function of the air bladder in Osteichthyes?
It regulates buoyancy.
What type of heart do Osteichthyes have?
Heart is two-chambered (one auricle and one ventricle).
What is the temperature regulation in Osteichthyes?
They are cold-blooded animals.
What is the reproductive method of Osteichthyes?
Sexes are separate, fertilisation is usually external, and they are mostly oviparous with direct development.
What is the class Chondrichthyes?
They are marine animals with a streamlined body and a cartilaginous endoskeleton.
Where is the mouth located in Chondrichthyes?
Mouth is located ventrally.
What is unique about the notochord in Chondrichthyes?
The notochord is persistent throughout life.
What are the gills like in Chondrichthyes?
Gill slits are separate and without operculum (gill cover).
What type of scales do Chondrichthyes have?
The skin is tough, containing minute placoid scales.
What are the teeth of Chondrichthyes modified from?
Teeth are modified placoid scales which are backwardly directed.
What is notable about the jaws of Chondrichthyes?
Their jaws are very powerful.
What is the swimming behavior of Chondrichthyes?
Due to the absence of an air bladder, they have to swim constantly to avoid sinking.
What type of heart do Chondrichthyes have?
Heart is two-chambered (one auricle and one ventricle).
What are some special features of certain Chondrichthyes?
Some have electric organs (e.g., Torpedo) and some possess poison sting (e.g., Trygon).
What is the temperature regulation in Chondrichthyes?
They are cold-blooded (poikilothermous) animals.
What is the reproductive method of Chondrichthyes?
Sexes are separate, they have internal fertilisation, and many are viviparous.
What do male Chondrichthyes have for reproduction?
In males, pelvic fins bear claspers.
What are the living members of the class Cyclostomata?
All living members of the class Cyclostomata are ectoparasites on some fishes.
What is the body structure of Cyclostomata?
They have an elongated body bearing 6-15 pairs of gill slits for respiration, a sucking and circular mouth without jaws, and are devoid of scales and paired fins.
What type of skeleton do Cyclostomata have?
Cranium and vertebral column are cartilaginous.
What type of circulation do Cyclostomata possess?
Circulation is of closed type.
Where do Cyclostomata migrate for spawning?
Cyclostomes are marine but migrate for spawning to fresh water.
What happens to Cyclostomata after spawning?
After spawning, within a few days, they die.
What happens to Cyclostomata larvae after metamorphosis?
Their larvae, after metamorphosis, return to the ocean.
What do members of subphylum Vertebrata possess during the embryonic period?
Members possess notochord during the embryonic period.
What replaces the notochord in adult vertebrates?
The notochord is replaced by a cartilaginous or bony vertebral column in the adult.
Are all chordates vertebrates?
All vertebrates are chordates but all chordates are not vertebrates.
What additional features do vertebrates have?
Besides the basic chordate characters, vertebrates have a ventral muscular heart with two, three or four chambers, kidneys for excretion and osmoregulation, and paired appendages which may be fins or limbs.
What are the three subphyla of Phylum Chordata?
The three subphyla are Urochordata (or Tunicata), Cephalochordata, and Vertebrata.
What are Urochordata and Cephalochordata often referred to as?
They are often referred to as protochordates.
What is the habitat of Urochordata and Cephalochordata?
They are exclusively marine.
Where is the notochord present in Urochordata?
The notochord is present only in the larval tail.
How does the notochord differ in Cephalochordata?
In Cephalochordata, the notochord extends from head to tail region and is persistent throughout their life.
What is a defining characteristic of Chordates?
Notochord present
The notochord is a flexible rod-like structure that provides support.
What type of central nervous system do Chordates have?
Dorsal, hollow, and single
This central nervous system structure is unique to Chordates.
What feature is present in the pharynx of Chordates?
Perforated by gill slits
These gill slits are used in respiration and feeding.
Where is the heart located in Chordates?
Ventral
The ventral position of the heart is a key trait in Chordates.
Do Chordates possess a post-anal tail?
Yes
The post-anal tail is an important feature for locomotion in many Chordates.
What is a defining characteristic of Non-chordates?
Notochord absent
Non-chordates lack the supportive structure found in Chordates.
What type of central nervous system do Non-chordates have?
Ventral, solid, and double
This structure contrasts with the central nervous system of Chordates.
Are gill slits present in Non-chordates?
No
Non-chordates do not have gill slits, which are characteristic of Chordates.
Where is the heart located in Non-chordates?
Dorsal (if present)
The heart’s position in Non-chordates differs from that of Chordates.
Do Non-chordates have a post-anal tail?
No
The absence of a post-anal tail is a key difference from Chordates.
What are the primary characteristics of Phylum Chordata?
Notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, paired pharyngeal gill slits
These features define the Chordata phylum.
What type of symmetry do Chordates exhibit?
Bilaterally symmetrical
This symmetry is common in many animal phyla.
What type of body organization do Chordates have?
Triploblastic, coelomate with organ-system level of organisation
This level of organization allows for more complex body structures and functions.
Do Chordates possess an open or closed circulatory system?
Closed circulatory system
A closed circulatory system is more efficient in distributing nutrients and oxygen.
What is the current classification of the phylum Hemichordata?
Hemichordata is now placed as a separate phylum under non-chordata
Previously considered a sub-phylum under Chordata
What is the stomochord in Hemichordates?
A rudimentary structure in the collar region similar to notochord
Stomochord is a key characteristic of Hemichordata
What type of body symmetry do Hemichordates exhibit?
Bilateral symmetry
They are triploblastic and coelomate animals
What are the main body regions of Hemichordates?
Anterior proboscis, collar, and long trunk
The body is cylindrical in shape
What type of circulatory system do Hemichordates have?
Open type
Circulatory system is a characteristic feature of these animals
How do Hemichordates respire?
Through gills
Gills are the respiratory organs in Hemichordates
What is the excretory organ in Hemichordates?
Proboscis gland
This organ plays a role in excretion
Are Hemichordates monoecious or dioecious?
Dioecious (sexes are separate)
This means they have distinct male and female individuals
What type of fertilization occurs in Hemichordates?
External fertilization
Fertilization takes place outside the female body
What is the developmental process of Hemichordates?
Indirect development
The life cycle includes larval stages
What is the defining feature of the phylum Echinodermata?
Presence of an endoskeleton of calcareous ossicles
This gives them the name ‘spiny-bodied’
What type of symmetry do adult echinoderms have?
Radial symmetry
However, their larvae exhibit bilateral symmetry
What is the digestive system structure in Echinodermata?
Complete digestive system with mouth on the ventral side and anus on the dorsal side
This arrangement is typical of echinoderms
What is the function of the water vascular system in Echinoderms?
Helps in locomotion, capture and transport of food, and respiration
This system is unique to echinoderms
Do Echinoderms have an excretory system?
No, an excretory system is absent
They rely on other means for waste removal
Are Echinoderms monoecious or dioecious?
Dioecious (sexes are separate)
Similar to Hemichordates, they have distinct male and female individuals
What type of reproduction occurs in Echinoderms?
Sexual reproduction
This involves the fusion of gametes
What is the fertilization type in Echinoderms?
Usually external fertilization
This is common among marine organisms
What type of development do Echinoderms undergo?
Indirect development with a free-swimming larva
The larval stage is an important part of their life cycle
What is the second largest animal phylum?
Mollusca
What is the habitat of molluscs?
Terrestrial or aquatic (marine or freshwater)
What is the level of organization in molluscs?
Organ-system level
What type of body symmetry do molluscs have?
Bilateral symmetry
How many germ layers do molluscs have?
Three (triploblastic)
What type of coelom do molluscs have?
Coelomate
What covers the body of molluscs?
A calcareous shell
What are the three main body parts of molluscs?
Head, muscular foot, and visceral hump
What is the mantle in molluscs?
A soft and spongy layer of skin that covers the visceral hump
What is the function of the mantle cavity?
Contains feather-like gills for respiration and excretion
What structures are present on the head of molluscs for sensory perception?
Sensory tentacles
What is the radula in molluscs?
A file-like rasping organ for feeding
Sex of Molluscs?
Usually dioecious
What type of reproduction is seen in molluscs?
Oviparous with indirect development
