Vertebrates
Vertebrates are a subphylum of chordates that are characterized by the presence of a vertebral column or backbone. It encloses and protects the spinal cord. It includes animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Different characteristics of vertebrates are given below.
- They are characterized by the presence of a vertebral column or backbone. It encloses and protects the spinal cord.
- They show bilateral symmetry.
- Vertebrates have an internal skeleton made of bone or cartilage, providing structural support and protection for internal organs.
- They are triploblastic, and coelomate with the organ-system level of organization.
- The body have a closed circulatory system.
- The notochord is present only in the larval tail, but in some, it is present throughout their life from head to tail region.
Classification of Animals
The Classification of animals is based on the different characteristics of the living organism. The animal kingdom is also known as the ‘Kingdom Animalia’. The animal classification system divides organisms based on shared traits and evolutionary history. The presence and absence of the notochord form the basis of the classification of animals into two major groups: Chordates and Nonchordates.
Chordates include vertebrates like fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals, while Non-chordates include arthropods, mollusks, and annelids. It helps in understanding the evolutionary relationships and structural diversity within the animal kingdom. In this article, we will study animal classification in detail.
Table of Content
- Animal Kingdom: Basis of Classification
- Animals Classification Chart
- Classification of Animals
- Non- Vertebrates
- Vertebrates
- Conclusion – Animal Classification
- FAQs on Classification of Animal Kingdom