1.

Details of Module and its structure

Module Detail
Subject Name Biology
Course Name Biology 01 (Class XI, Semester - 1)
Module Name/Title Animal Kingdom – Part 3
Module Id kebo_10403
Pre-requisites Basic knowledge about biodiversity and classification
Objectives After going through this lesson, the learners will be able to
understand the following:
 To develop the interest of the learner in classification of
animals.
 To study the significant features of sub phylum of
chordates.
Keywords Chordate, Non-chordata, Notochord, Vertebrates, Cartilagenous
fish, Bony fish, Amphibian, Reptile, Aves, Mammal.

2. Development Team
Role Name Affiliation
National MOOC Coordinator Prof. Amarendra P. Behera CIET, NCERT, New Delhi
(NMC)
Program Coordinator Dr. Mohd. Mamur Ali CIET, NCERT, New Delhi
Course Coordinator (CC) / PI Dr. Sunita Farkya DESM, NCERT, New Delhi
Course Co-Coordinator / Co- Dr. Yash Paul Sharma CIET, NCERT, New Delhi
PI
Subject Matter Expert (SME) Ms. Sneh Bansal DAV Public School, Faridabad
Review Team Dr. K.V. Sridevi RMSA Project Cell, NCERT,
New Delhi
Table of Contents:
 Phylum Chordata
 Main characteristics of chordates
 Difference between chordates and non-chordates
 Classification of chordates
 Subphylum Vertebrata
 Section Agnatha and Gnathostomata
 Superclasses
 Classes
 Summary

Phylum Chordata
The phylum Chordata consists of around 43,700 species, most of them concentrated in the sub-
phylum Vertebrata, which makes it the third-largest phylum in the animal kingdom.

Chordates are the most highly evolved among the animal groups. They are the animals which are
characterised by the presence of a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord and paired pharyngeal
gill slits.

Characteristics Of Chordates:
Notochord: Dorsal Hollow Nerve-cord:
It is a cartilaginous rod like structure running It is a bundle of nerve fibers which is always
underneath, and supporting, the nerve cord. It hollow and lies dorsal to the notochord. It
lies on the dorsal side between the dorsal connects the brain with the lateral muscles and
hollow nerve cord and the alimentary canal. other organs.
 Pharyngeal Gill-slits:
They are a series of openings that connect the
inside of the throat to the outside of the "neck" and
lies on the lateral sides of the pharynx. All the
chordates have it at some stage of their life.

These are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate with organ-system level of

organisation. They show segmentation, cephalisation (formation of head), endoskeleton,
complete digestive tract, special organs for respiration and excretion. They possess separate
sexes, and reproduce sexually. They also have a post anal tail (which is reduced or absent in
many adults) and a closed circulatory system.

Difference between Chordates and Non-Chordates:

S.No. CHORDATES NON-CHORDATES

1 They have notochord at some of the They do not possess notochord at any stage
stage of life. of life.
2 Central nervous system is dorsal, hollow Central nervous system is ventral, solid and
and single. double.
3 Pharynx perforated by gill slits. Gill slits are absent.
4 Heart is ventral. Heart is dorsal (if present).
5 A post-anal part (tail) is present. Post-anal tail is absent.

Classification Of Phylum Chordata

The phylum Chordata is further divided into three subphylums:
◦ Urochordata or tunicates
◦ Cephalachordata or lancelets
◦ Vertebrata or craniata
Subphyla Urochordata and Cephalochordata are very small containing only about 2,000 species
and are often referred to as protochordates. They are exclusively marine.

Urochordata:
“uros” means tail, that means notochord is present in the tail of larva.
In Urochordata, notochord and the dorsal nerve cord are present only in larval tail and they lose
them when they turn into adults. Adult tunicates look like small sacs around 3 cm tall attached to
the ocean floor.
Examples: Ascidia, Salpa, Doliolum, Herdmania, Ciona, Pyrosoma.

Ascidia Salpa
 Herdmania Ciona
Cephalochordata:
“cephalos” means head i.e. the notochord is present in head.
They are similar in appearance to small fish and have the notochord from head to tail region
which persists throughout their life. They are extremely simple in structure and lack a backbone.
Examples: Branchiostoma (Amphioxus or Lancelet).

Branchiostoma (Amphioxus or Lancelet)

Vertebrata:
It is the most important subphylum and is distinguished by the presence of notochord during the
embryonic period. The notochord is replaced by a cartilaginous or bony vertebral column in the
adult. Thus all vertebrates are chordates but all chordates are not vertebrates.
Besides the basic chordate characters, vertebrates have:
 cranium (brain box) around brain
 epidermis having many cells, it may bear an exoskeleton of scales, feathers or hair
 well developed coelom
 a ventral muscular heart with two, three or four chambers
 a pair of kidneys for excretion and osmoregulation
 paired appendages which may be fins or limbs
 respiratory organs may include gills, skin or lungs
 sense organs like eyes, ear, skin, tongue and nasal chamber
 presence of endocrine glands
  sexes are separate (except in hag fish)
 No asexual reproduction.

The table shows the classification of phylum chordate into sub-phylum.

On the basis of presence or absence of jaw the subphylum Vertebrata is further divided into two
sub-groups:
Super class Agnatha- The Jawless Vertebrates
Super class Gnathostomata- The Jawed Vertebrates

Agnatha- The Jawless Vertebrates

The mouth of Agnatha does not possess jaws. The notochord is present throughout life.

Class - Cyclostomata
It is the only one class having living members. “cylco” means circular and “stome” is mouth.
  They have circular mouth.
 Members of this class are ectoparasites on some fishes.
 They have an elongated body having 6-15 pairs of gill slits for respiration.
 Cyclostomes have a sucking and circular mouth without jaws.
 Body is devoid of scales and paired fins.
 Cranium and vertebral column are cartilaginous. \
 Stomach is absent.
 Lateral line sense organs are present.
 Circulation is of closed type.
 Cyclostomes are marine but migrate for spawning to fresh water. After spawning, within
a few days, they die. Their larvae, after metamorphosis, return to the ocean.
Examples: Petromyzon (Lamprey) and Myxine (Hagfish).

Petromyzon(Lamprey):
It lives in sea/ ocean but moves to freshwater bodies like rivers and ponds for breeding. It is a
parasite and gets attached to big fish through its suctorial mouth to suck the blood.

Myxine (Hagfish)
Gnathostomata- The Jawed Vertebrates
As we have already discussed, they have jaws. Also, the embryonic notochord in the adults of
these animals is replaced by vertebral coloumn.

Gnathostomata has further two super classes:

Pisces: Class Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes
Tetrapoda: Class Amphibia, Reptiles, Aves and Mammals

Super Class Pisces:

This super class includes true fishes.
Class – Chondrichthyes
In Greek, “chondros” means cartilage and “icthyes” means fish, hence they are called
cartilagenous fishes.

 They are marine animals with streamlined body and have cartilaginous endoskeleton.
 Mouth is located ventrally.
 Notochord is persistent throughout life.
 Gill slits are separate and without operculum (gill cover).
 The skin is tough, containing minute placoid scales.
 Teeth are modified placoid scales which are backwardly directed.
 Their jaws are very powerful.
 These animals are predaceous.
 Due to the absence of air bladder, they have to swim constantly to avoid sinking.
 Heart is two-chambered (one auricle and one ventricle).
 Some of them have electric organs (e.g., Torpedo) and some possess poison sting (e.g.,
Trygon).
 Lateral line system is well developed.
 There are present 10 pairs of cranial nerves.
 They are cold-blooded (poikilothermous) animals, i.e., they lack the capacity to regulate
their body temperature.
  Sexes are separate.
 In males, pelvic fins bear claspers which are used for copulation.
 They have internal fertilisation and many of them are viviparous.
 Most of them are predators.

Examples: Scoliodon (Dog fish), Pristis (Saw fish), Carcharodon (Great white shark), Trygon
(Sting ray), Chimaera (Rabbit firsh).

Scoliodon (Dog fish)

Scoliodon
 It is a marine fish having elongated, streamlined, dorsoventrally flattened body at anterior
end and laterally compressed at posterior end.
 Body measures upto 60 cm in length.
 Body is covered with minute placoid scales that can be felt when skin is rubbed from tail
to snout.
 Body is divided into head, trunk and tail.
 A crescentic mouth is present on the ventral surface of the head behind the tip. Mouth has
several rows of sharp and backwardly pointed teeth on both upper and lower jaws.
 Tail is elongated with heterocercal caudal fin (the upper and lower halves of unequal
size).
 Body bears a number of unpaired and paired fins. The unpaired fins have two dorsals, a
lobed caudal and a median ventral fin. Pectoral and pelvic fins are in pairs.
 Five pairs of gill slits are present laterally between mouth and pectoral fins.
 A median groove-like cloacal aperture is situated ventrally between the two pelvic fins.
 Sexual dimorphism is visible as males have midventrally situated copulatory organ.
Systematic position
Phylum – Chordata
Subphylum – Vertebrata
Superclass – Pisces
Class – Chondrichthyes

Pristis (Saw fish)

Trygon (Sting ray) Chimaera (Rabbit fish).

Chondrichthyes fish are advanced as compared to cyclostomata since they have paired
fins, olfactory organs, movable jaws and paired gonads with gonoducts.

Class – Osteichthyes
In Greek, “osteon” means bone and “icthyes” means fish, hence they are called bony fishes.
 It includes both marine and fresh water fishes with bony endoskeleton.
  Their body is streamlined.
 Mouth is mostly terminal.
 Have four pairs of gills which are covered by an operculum on each side.
 Skin is covered with cycloid or ctenoid scales.
 Air bladder is present which regulates buoyancy.
 Heart is two chambered (one auricle and one ventricle).
 Lateral line is well developed.
 There are present 10 pairs of cranial nerves.
 They are cold-blooded animals.
 Sexes are separate.
 Fertilisation is usually external.
 They are mostly oviparous and development is direct.
Examples: Marine – Exocoetus (Flying fish), Hippocampus (Sea horse); Freshwater – Labeo
(Rohu),
Catla (Katla), Clarias (Magur); Aquarium – Betta (Fighting fish), Pterophyllum (Angel fish),
Anabas(The Climbing Perch), Mystus (Cat fish).

Exocoetus (Flying fish)

It is marine and carnivorous. The special feature is that it takes leaps from water with its
powerful tail and glides slowly through the air with large pectoral fins.
 Hippocampus (Sea horse)
It has horse like appearance due to its head and neck like that of horse. It is marine and
herbivorous. The special feature is that it swims vertically with the help of its dorsal fin. Male
shows parental care.

Labeo (Rohu)
Labeo
 Streamlined and laterally compressed body, which is grey or black on the dorsal side;
and silvery on the ventral surface. Size may reach up to 1m in length.
 Body is divisible into head, trunk and a tail with homocercal (dorsal and ventral lobes
are of equal size) caudal fin.
 Head is extended between the snout and the posterior end of the operculum (i.e., gill
cover). Snout is depressed and obtuse. The operculum is free and open along the
posterior and ventral margins.
 Mouth is a transverse opening near the tip of the snout, which has fleshy lips.
 The margin of the lower lip is fimbriated.
 The whole body is covered with overlapping cycloid dermal scales.
 Both unpaired and paired fins are present on its body. The unpaired fins are a dorsal fin,
a caudal fin and an anal fin. Pectoral and pelvic fins are paired.

Systematic position
 Phylum - Chordata
Subphylum - Vertebrata
Super Class - Pisces
Class – Osteichthyes

Note: Labeo rohita or Rohu is one of the major freshwater carps having bony endoskeleton
found in rivers and ponds in the Indian subcontinent.

Catla (Katla)

Clarias (Magur)

\
Anabas (The Climbing Perch)
These osteichthyes (bony) fish are advanced over chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) as
they possess a bony endoskeleton, a hydrostatic swim bladder, homocercal tail and a more
developed brain.
Class – Amphibia
As the meaning of its name indicates, these vertebrates have dual life since “amphi” is two and
“bios” is life.
The amphibian class is the smallest of the vertebrate classes and includes about 4,000 species.

 Amphibians can live in aquatic as well as terrestrial habitats.

 Most of them have two pairs of limbs.
 Body is divisible into head and trunk.
 Tail may be present in some.
 Skin is moist (without scales).
 Eyes have eyelids.
 A tympanum represents the ear.
 Alimentary canal, urinary and reproductive tracts open into a common chamber called
cloaca which opens to the exterior.
 Respiration is by gills, lungs and through skin.
 Heart is three chambered (two auricles and one ventricle).
 10 pairs of cranial nerves.
 These are cold-blooded animals.
 Sexes are separate.
 Fertilisation is external.
 They are oviparous and development is indirect. They return to water for breeding. Male
lacks copulatory organs.
 Metamorphosis is usually present in which a fish like larva called tadpole is seen.
 They live in fresh water and moist soil.
 etamorphosis in Frog
Examples: Bufo (Toad), Rana (Frog), Hyla (Tree frog), Salamandra (Salamander), Ichthyophis
(Limbless
amphibia), Necturus (Mud puppy), Rhacophorus (Flying frog).
Why do amphibians lay eggs in water?
Amphibians do not lay amniotic eggs i.e. the eggs do not contain a fluid-filled sac called the
amnion surrounding the developing embryo due to which the eggs dry out quickly in the air,
forcing all amphibians to lay their eggs in the water.

Amphibians are advanced than fish due to presence of limbs for movement, eyelids for
protecting eyes on land and a middle ear to transmit sound waves to the internal ear.

Rana (Frog)
Rana (Frog)
 The body consists of head and trunk, neck is absent.
 Highly placed external nasal opening, eyes are bulging and covered by a nictitating
membrane. The outer boundary of middle ear is covered by a membrane, called
tympanic membrane.
 Skin is naked, (that is without any type of scales) and slimy (secretion of mucous glands
present in the skin)
 Mouth is terminal, having protrosible bifid tongue.
 Upper jaw is beset with several rows of spiny teeth, lower jaw has no teeth.
 Forelimbs are smaller than the hindlimbs. The forelimbs have four, and hindlimbs have
5 clawless digits. An interdigital web-like membrane is present in the hind-limbs, which
is used for swimming.

Systematic position
Phylum – Chordata
Subphylum – Vertebrata
Class – Amphibia

Note: There is a distinct sexual dimorphism between male and female frog. Males are
comparatively smaller in size and the base of the first digit of forelimb becomes thick and pad-
like. This is called nuptial pad, which helps in holding the females during mating. On the
ventral surface of the lower jaw, two vocal sacs are present for making nuptial calls during
breeding season.

Bufo (Toad)
 Hyla (Tree Frog) Rhacophorus (Flying frog)

12
Salamandra (Salamander)

Class – Reptilia
The animals of this class are often referred to “creeping vertebrates” due to their creeping or
crawling mode of locomotion. In Latin, “repere or reptum” is to creep or crawl.
 They are mostly terrestrial animals.
 Skin is dry, cornified and without glands, with epidermal scales or scutes.
 They do not have external ear openings.
 Tympanum represents ear.
 Limbs, when present, are two pairs.
 Respire through lungs.
 Heart is usually three-chambered, but four-chambered in crocodiles.
 12 pairs of cranial nerves.
  Lateral line system is absent.
 They are poikilotherms or cold blooded.
 Snakes and lizards shed their scales as skin cast (molting).
 Sexes are separate.
 Fertilisation is internal. The developing embryo has a special membrane present around
them called amnion.
 They are oviparous and development is direct.
 ;Generally carnivores or insectivores, except the tortoise which feeds on vegetation.

Today reptiles include about 7,000 species, although before the extinction of the dinosaurs rep-
tiles were the dominant vertebrate animal.

Examples: Chelone (Turtle), Testudo (Tortoise), Chameleon (Tree lizard), Calotes (Garden
lizard), Crocodilus (Crocodile), Alligator (Alligator). Hemidactylus (Wall lizard), Draco (Flying
lizard), Poisonous snakes – Naja (Cobra), Bangarus (Krait), Vipera (Viper), Hydrophis (Sea
snake).
Reptiles are advanced than the amphibians due to presence of scales on their body, claws
for defense and amniotic egg with protective shell.

Calotes (Garden lizard)

Calotes (Garden lizard)
 Body is divided into head, neck, trunk and elongated tail.
 Body is covered with rough epidermal scales.
  Head is triangular with a cone-shaped snout having a wide mouth. A pair of nostrils and
eyes present on the head. Eyes are dorso-lateral in position on head.
 Two pairs of pentadactyl (five digits) limbs; the digits are clawed.
 The skin provides the animal with protective colouration in its environment.

Systematic position
Phylum – Chordata
Subphylum – Vertebrata
Class – Reptilia

Note: Garden lizard is an arboreal (tree dweller) reptile commonly found among the bushes,
shrubs and trees.

Chelone (Turtle) Testudo (Tortoise)

Chameleon (Tree lizard)

 Alligator (Alligator) Draco (Flying lizard)

Naja (Cobra) Vipera (Viper)

Snake Charming: It is a myth that snake dances on the tune of the flute. Actually the snake just
follows the movement of the tip of flute and swaying notion of its master.

How to differentiate between a poisonous (venomous) and non-poisonous (non-venomous)

snake?
 Arrangement and size of their scales, plates and shields which cover the body help in the
identification of snakes.
 Usually the non poisonous snakes have small scales on belly and back.
 A poisonous snake has the small scales present on its head.

Class – Aves
In Latin, “avis” means bird. Class Aves has about 9000 species.
The characteristic features of Aves (birds) are:
 Presence of feathers.
 Most of them can fly except flightless birds (e.g., Ostrich).
  Upper and lower jaws are modified into beak. They lack teeth.
 Forelimbs are modified into wings.
 Hind limbs generally have scales and are modified for walking, swimming or clasping
the tree branches.
 Skin is dry without glands except the oil gland at the base of the tail.
 Endoskeleton is fully ossified (bony) and the long bones are hollow with air cavities
(pneumatic).
 Digestive tract of birds has additional chambers, the crop and gizzard. Crop stores and
softens the food and gizzard helps in crushing and churning the food.
 Heart is completely four chambered.
 They are warm-blooded (homoiothermous) animals, i.e., they are able to maintain a
constant body temperature.
 Respiration is by lungs. ‘
 12 pairs of cranial nerves are present.
 Sharp eyesight, but poor sense of smell.
 Air sacs connected to lungs supplement respiration.
 Sexes are separate. Many of them show sexual dimorphism.

SSexual dimorphism in peacock-The peacock, on the right, is courting the peahen, on the left
 Mallard-male bottom has an unmistakable green head

Mandarin ducks, male (left) and female (right)

 Fertilisation is internal.
 They are oviparous and development is direct.
 They show courtship, nest making, migration, parental care and territorial behaviour.

Famous Ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali

is known as the “Bird man of India”.

Birds are advanced than the reptiles due to presence of feathers on their body, complete
separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, muscular diaphragm for efficient
respiration and a well developed brain.

Examples : Corvus (Crow), Columba (Pigeon), Rhea (Rhea), Anas (Duck), Psittacula (Parrot),
Struthio (Ostrich), Pavo (Peacock), Aptenodytes (Penguin), Neophron (Vulture).

Pigeon
Pigeon is one of the most common birds showing flight adaptations and having
cosmopolitan distribution.
The external features are as follows:
 Body covered with feathers.
 Streamlined body divisible into head, neck and trunk.
 A small and round head, having beak without teeth. In addition the head bears a pair
of nostrils, large eyes and opening of the ears (covered with feathers).
 Eyes are provided with movable eyelids and nictitating membrane.
 Cylindrical neck is very flexible to facilitate mobility of the head.
 Forelimbs are modified into two wings for flying. The hindlimbs have four-clawed
digits of which the first one is backwardly directed and the remaining three are
forwardly directed. It helps in perching and bears the weight of the body while
standing.
 Cloacal aperture is situated at the posterior end of the trunk.
Systematic position
Phylum - Chordata
Subphylum - Vertebrata
Class - Aves
Rhea (Rhea) Neophron (Vulture) Struthio (Ostrich)

Class – Mammalia
In Latin, “mamma” means breasts, hence mammals are the animals having breasts. There are
about 4500 species of mammals found in world.
 Found in a variety of habitats – polar ice caps, deserts, mountains, forests, grasslands and
dark caves.
 Some of them have adapted to fly (like bat) or live in water (like whale).
 The most unique mammalian characteristic is the presence of milk producing glands
(mammary glands) by which the young ones are nourished.
 Have two pairs of limbs, adapted for walking, running, climbing, burrowing, swimming
or flying.
 Skin of mammals is unique in possessing hair.
 Oil glands and sweat glands are present in the skin.
 External ears or pinnae are present.
 Different types of teeth (heterodont) are present in the jaw.
 Heart is four chambered.
 12 pairs of cranial nerves.
 They are warm blooded or homoiothermous.
 Respiration is by lungs.
 Sexes are separate and fertilisation is internal.
 They are viviparous with few exceptions and development is direct.
  They are dominant animals and have the power to learn due to the presence of a well
developed brain
We, the mammals, dominate the world due to well developed
ability of speech, opposable thumb and logical thinking.

Mammals are the most advanced animals having insulating hair with sweat glands to
regulate body temperature, salivary glands for digestion, complete separation of
oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, muscular diaphragm for efficient respiration, well
developed brain and development of foetus in mother’s womb.

Examples: Oviparous-Ornithorhynchus (Platypus);

Viviparous - Macropus (Kangaroo), Pteropus (Flying fox), Camelus (Camel), Macaca
(Monkey), Rattus (Rat), Canis (Dog), Felis (Cat), Elephas (Elephant), Equus (Horse), Delphinus
(Common dolphin), Balaenoptera (Blue whale), Panthera tigris (Tiger), Panthera leo (Lion),
Bats.

Rabbit
ORYCTOLAGUS LAGOMORPHA (RABBIT)
Rabbit is a fossorial (burrowing) mammal. However, it can lead a terrestrial life in the thick
vegetation. The external features include:
(i) A medium sized animal, about 40 cm in length when adult.
(ii) Body is covered with hair, and is divisible into head, neck, trunk and a small tail.
(iii) *Head is pear-shaped with a blunt snout. Anteriorly it bears a mouth and a pair of external
ears, the pinna. The upper lip has a median cleft through which the incisor teeth get exposed.
Few prominent and stiff hairs are present laterally on the upper lip. These are touch- sensitive
(tactile) and called vibrissae or whiskers.
(iv) A short but highly flexible neck is present between the head and the trunk.