Porifera

-sponges

-cellular level of organization

-asymmetrical in adulthood

-totipotent cells

-adults are sessile suspension-feeders

-larvae are motile

-skeletal elements called spicules

-probably have flagellated protist ancestors

Cnidaria

-corals, sea anemones, jellyfish, box jellies, hydra, sea fans

-diploblastic, tissue level of organization

-radial symmetry

-specialized stinging structures

-only one opening to digestive cavity mouth/anus

-nerve net, no centralized nervous system

-alternation of asexual polyps and sexual medusas between generations

Ctenophora

-comb jellies

-adhesive structures called colloblasts

-eight rows of ciliary plates called ctenes or combs

-mostly hermaphroditic -diploblastic

-have complete gut, although most food is still regurgitated

-class Tentaculata has long retractible tentacles

-class Nuda does not

Platyhelminthes

-flatworms

-triploblastic, tissue level of organization

-bilateral symmetry, cephalization

-one opening to digestive cavity

-hermaphroditic, complex reproductive systems

-free-living or parasitic

-can regenerate any part of their body, if you cut the head in half they will have two heads!

Nematoda

-roundworms

-50k+ species, extremely common

-triploblastic, bilateral, unsegmented

-juvenile growth includes molting

-covered by a layered cuticle

-complete gut

-only longitudinal muscles

-free-living or parasitic

Annelida

-segmented worms

-very diverse

Tardigrada

-can greatly reduce metabolism during extreme conditions (anabiosis) or for long periods so as to appear dead (cryptobiosis)

-can survive extreme temperatures, complete immersion in toxic substances, extreme pressure or vacuum of space, intense radiation, long periods without oxygen

Mollusca

-snails, slugs, clams, oysters, squids

-bilaterally symmetrical (or secondarily asymmetrical)

-developed organ systems

-mantle with glands which secrete calcareous epidermal spicules

-large, well-defined muscular foot, sometimes with flattened creeping sole, sometimes developed into tentacles

Arthropoda

-insects, spiders, crustaceans

-internally & externally segmented

-most have regional body specialization

-well developed exoskeleton made of chitinous cuticle, sometimes hardened with calcium carbonate

-well-developed circulatory, sensory and nervous systems, gas exchange

Echinodermata

-sea stars, urchins, cucumbers, brittle stars, sand dollars

-all marine dwelling

-bilateral larvae, pentamerous radial symmetry as adults

-nerve net, nerve ring and radial nerves, no centralized nervous system

-most have separate sexes

-water vascular system using fluid-filled canals for locomotion, food and waste transportation and respiration

Phoronida

-marine benthic worms

-develop upright chitinous tubes on sandy bottoms/mud flats to protect soft bodies

-solitary, hermaphroditic

-specialized feeding structures called lophophores

Ectoprocta

-water dwelling, benthic, colonial

-hermaphroditic, asexually develop colonies, sexually produce separate organisms

-filter feed using lophophores

-very common in marine ecosystems

-encrust rocks, algae, other organisms

Chordata

phylum of kingdom Animalia characterized by organisms with notochords, dorsal hollow nerve cords, pharyngeal gill slits and post-anal tails