animal phyla

Phylum Porifera

The phylum of simple, multicellular organisms known as sponges.

Phylum Cnidaria

The phylum that includes animals like jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones.

Polyp body form

A cylindrical, sessile form characteristic of many cnidarians, such as sea anemones.

Medusa body form

A free-swimming, umbrella-shaped form characteristic of jellyfish.

Phylum Ctenophora

The phylum also known as comb jellies, which are marine invertebrates.

Phylum Nematoda

A phylum of roundworms, often parasitic.

Phylum Arthropoda

The largest phylum, including insects, arachnids, and crustaceans.

Subphylum Chelicerata

Subphylum that includes arachnids such as spiders and scorpions.

Subphylum Myriapoda

Subphylum that includes centipedes and millipedes.

Subphylum Crustacea

Subphylum that includes crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.

Subphylum Hexapoda (Class Insecta)

Subphylum comprising insects, characterized by their six legs.

Phylum Platyhelminthes

The phylum of flatworms, which include tapeworms and flukes.

Class Turbellaria

Class of free-living flatworms.

Class Cestoda

Class that includes parasitic tapeworms.

Class Trematoda

Class consisting of parasitic flukes.

Phylum Rotifera

A phylum of microscopic and near-microscopic pseudocoelomate animals.

Phylum Mollusca

The phylum of invertebrates that includes snails, clams, and octopuses.

Class Polyplacophora

Class of mollusks known as chitons.

Class Gastropoda

Class of mollusks that includes snails and slugs.

Class Cephalopoda

Class of mollusks that includes octopuses and squids.

Class Bivalvia

Class of mollusks that includes clams and oysters.

Phylum Annelida

The phylum of segmented worms.

Class Polychaeta

Class of annelids that includes bristle worms.

Class Hirudinea

Class of annelids that includes leeches.

Class Oligochaeta

Class of annelids that includes earthworms.

Phylum Echinodermata

The phylum of marine animals with radial symmetry, including starfish and sea urchins.

Phylum Chordata

The phylum that includes vertebrates and some closely related invertebrates.

Subphylum Urochordata

Subphylum that includes tunicates or sea squirts.

Subphylum Cephalochordata

Subphylum that includes lancelets.

Class Myxini

Class of jawless fish known as hagfish.

Class Petrozontida

Class of jawless fish known as lampreys.

Class Chondrichthyes

Class that includes cartilaginous fish like sharks and rays.

Class Osteichthyes

Class that includes bony fish.

Class Amphibia

Class that includes frogs, toads, and salamanders.

Class Reptilia

Class that includes reptiles such as snakes, lizards, and turtles.

Class Aves

Class of warm-blooded, feathered vertebrates known as birds.

Class Mammalia

Class of warm-blooded vertebrates that have hair and produce milk.