Chordates are animals that at some stage in their life cycle possess a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, gill slits, and a post‑anal tail. This phylum includes all vertebrates as well as two smaller groups: tunicates and lancelets. Chordates range from simple filter‑feeding marine animals to the most complex land vertebrates, including humans. Subdivision of … Continue reading "Phylum Chordata – Vertebrates & Relatives"
Read MoreTag: animalia
Kingdom Animalia
Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic organisms (must eat organic material) that develop from embryos and show a wide range of body forms, behaviours, and ecological roles. The animal kingdom includes everything from simple sponges to complex vertebrates such as birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes. Historically, animals were often divided into “vertebrates” and “invertebrates”, but modern … Continue reading "Kingdom Animalia"
Read MoreClass Aves – Birds
Birds (Class Aves) are feathered, warm-blooded vertebrates that evolved from small theropod dinosaurs during the age of the dinosaurs. Modern birds are therefore the only living dinosaurs, with more than 11,000 species found across every continent and ocean. They occupy an extraordinary range of ecological roles — from ocean-wandering albatrosses and forest canopy specialists to desert runners … Continue reading "Class Aves – Birds"
Read MorePhylum Arthropoda — Arthropods
Arthropods are bilaterally symmetrical invertebrates with segmented bodies, jointed appendages, and a rigid external skeleton made primarily of chitin, often strengthened with calcium salts. This exoskeleton must be shed periodically through moulting to allow growth. They are the most diverse and abundant animals on Earth, representing over 80% of all known species and occupying almost … Continue reading "Phylum Arthropoda — Arthropods"
Read MoreClass Mammalia — Mammals
Mammals are warm‑blooded animals with hair or fur that suckle their young. They first appeared over 200 million years ago and became the dominant land vertebrates after the extinction of the dinosaurs. Living mammals are divided into two subclasses: Prototheria and Theria. Prototherians include the egg-laying monotremes. Therians give birth to live young and are further … Continue reading "Class Mammalia — Mammals"
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