Comparison of the Major Animal Phyla

crying

Porifera - Examples

Sponges.

Porifera - Symmetry

None.

Porifera - Germ Layer

None.

Porifera - Organization

Cellular.

Porifera - Cephalization

None.

Porifera - Segmentation

None.

Porifera - Digestive System

Intracellular digestion.

Porifera - Circulatory System

None.

Porifera - Respiratory System

Diffusion.

Porifera - Excretory System

None.

Porifera - Nervous System

None.

Porifera - Reproduction

Asexual and Sexual.

Porifera - Support

Spicules and Spongin.

Cnidaria - Examples

Jellyfish, Corals, Anemones.

Cnidaria - Symmetry

Radial.

Cnidaria - Germ Layer

Diploblastic.

Cnidaria - Organization

Tissue.

Cnidaria - Cephalization

None.

Cnidaria - Segmentation

None.

Cnidaria - Digestive System

Gastrovascular cavity.

Cnidaria - Circulatory System

None.

Cnidaria - Respiratory System

Diffusion.

Cnidaria - Excretory System

Diffusion.

Cnidaria - Nervous System

Nerve net.

Cnidaria - Reproduction

Asexual and Sexual.

Cnidaria - Support

Hydrostatic skeleton.

Platyhelminthes - Examples

Flatworms, Tapeworms.

Platyhelminthes - Symmetry

Bilateral.

Platyhelminthes - Germ Layer

Triploblastic.

Platyhelminthes - Organization

Organ.

Platyhelminthes - Cephalization

Yes.

Platyhelminthes - Segmentation

None.

Platyhelminthes - Digestive System

Incomplete.

Platyhelminthes - Circulatory System

None.

Platyhelminthes - Respiratory System

Diffusion.

Platyhelminthes - Excretory System

Protonephridia.

Platyhelminthes - Nervous System

Ladder-type.

Platyhelminthes - Reproduction

Asexual and Sexual.

Platyhelminthes - Support

None.

Nematoda - Examples

Roundworms.

Nematoda - Symmetry

Bilateral.

Nematoda - Germ Layer

Triploblastic.

Nematoda - Organization

Organ.

Nematoda - Cephalization

Yes.

Nematoda - Segmentation

None.

Nematoda - Digestive System

Complete.

Nematoda - Circulatory System

None.

Nematoda - Respiratory System

Diffusion.

Nematoda - Excretory System

Renette cells.

Nematoda - Nervous System

Ganglia and nerve cords.

Nematoda - Reproduction

Sexual.

Nematoda - Support

Hydrostatic skeleton.

Annelida - Examples

Earthworms, Leeches.

Annelida - Symmetry

Bilateral.

Annelida - Germ Layer

Triploblastic.

Annelida - Organization

Organ.

Annelida - Cephalization

Yes.

Annelida - Segmentation

Yes.

Annelida - Digestive System

Complete.

Annelida - Circulatory System

Closed.

Annelida - Respiratory System

Diffusion through skin.

Annelida - Excretory System

Nephridia.

Annelida - Nervous System

Central nervous system.

Annelida - Reproduction

Asexual and Sexual.

Annelida - Support

Hydrostatic skeleton.

Mollusca - Examples

Snails, Clams, Octopuses.

Mollusca - Symmetry

Bilateral.

Mollusca - Germ Layer

Triploblastic.

Mollusca - Organization

Organ.

Mollusca - Cephalization

Yes.

Mollusca - Segmentation

No.

Mollusca - Digestive System

Complete.

Mollusca - Circulatory System

Open/Closed.

Mollusca - Respiratory System

Gills/Lungs.

Mollusca - Excretory System

Nephridia.

Mollusca - Nervous System

Central nervous system.

Mollusca - Reproduction

Asexual and Sexual.

Mollusca - Support

Shell (in many).

Arthropoda - Examples

Insects, Arachnids, Crustaceans.

Arthropoda - Symmetry

Bilateral.

Arthropoda - Germ Layer

Triploblastic.

Arthropoda - Organization

Organ.

Arthropoda - Cephalization

Yes.

Arthropoda - Segmentation

Yes.

Arthropoda - Digestive System

Complete.

Arthropoda - Circulatory System

Open.

Arthropoda - Respiratory System

Gills, book lungs, tracheae.

Arthropoda - Excretory System

Malpighian tubules.

Arthropoda - Nervous System

Central nervous system.

Arthropoda - Reproduction

Asexual and Sexual.

Arthropoda - Support

Exoskeleton.

Echinodermata - Examples

Sea Stars, Sea Urchins.

Echinodermata - Symmetry

Radial (adult).

Echinodermata - Germ Layer

Triploblastic.

Echinodermata - Organization

Organ.

Echinodermata - Cephalization

None.

Echinodermata - Segmentation

None.

Echinodermata - Digestive System

Complete.

Echinodermata - Circulatory System

Water vascular system.

Echinodermata - Respiratory System

Diffusion.