The Animal Kingdom Autor NUST Namibia University of Science and Technology
The Animal Kingdom Autor NUST Namibia University of Science and Technology
The Animal Kingdom Autor NUST Namibia University of Science and Technology
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Most complex of all kingdoms
vertebrates invertebrates
(animals with a and (animals without a
backbone) backbone)
Invertebrates
AGNATHA
CHONDRICHTHYES
Cold-blooded
OSTEICHTHYES (ectothermic)
AMPHIBIA
REPTILIA
AVES Warm-blooded
MAMMALIA (endothermic)
Class Agnatha includes jawless fish such as
lampreys. They are parasites on other fish.
Class Chondrichthyes includes fish whose skeletons are
made of cartilage, such as sharks, rays, and skates.
The mouth is in a ventral position, and the gill slits
open separately to the exterior.
Class Osteichthyes includes fish whose skeletons are
made of bone.
Most abundant class of all vertebrates 49,000
species
The mouth is terminal and gills are covered by a
bony flap called operculum.
Flattened scales. Eg., Tuna, Salmon
Fish - skeleton
Amphibians
• Are cold-blooded
(ectothermic).
• The word amphibian
means two-life (semi-
aquatic)
• Lead a “double” life with
time spent on land and
water
• They must return to
the water to breed.
Lay jelly coated eggs.
Have a smooth, moist skin.
All amphibians begin their life in water with gills
and tails. As they grow, they develop lungs and
legs for their life on land.
Frog embryos develop into tadpoles,
which undergo metamorphosis to
become adults.
Modern amphibians include
salamander, frogs and toads
Frog - skeleton
Class Reptiles includes snakes, lizards, turtles,
crocodiles, alligators and iguanas.
They have dry, scaly skin with horny scales.
Reptiles
• Are cold-blooded
(ectothermic).
• Reptiles are amniotes
• Lay leathery shelled
eggs.
• They lay their eggs on
land.
• Kidneys are good at
conserving water
Snake - skeleton
Lizard - skeleton
Reptiles
• Reptiles (including birds) and
mammals are amniotes. The major
derived character of this class is
the amniotic egg, inside of which
the embryo develops within a
protective, fluid-filled sac called
amnion.
AVES (Birds)
• Are warm-blooded
(endothermic).
• Have wings and
feathers.
• Light, hollow bones and
large lungs allow for flight.
• They all lay hard-
shelled eggs.
• Scales are on the
lower parts of their
legs.
• They excrete solid
metabolic wastes
(uric acid)
• Birds have a well
developed nervous
system and excellent
vision and hearing
• Birds communicate
with simple calls and
complex songs, as
well as with colour
and behaviour
AVES (Birds)
• Birds alone have feathers, which they use in
flight, in heat conservation, and in socially
significant communication displays.
Bird - skeleton
Mammals
• Are warm-blooded
(endothermic).
• Give birth to live
young.
• Feed their babies
with their own milk.
• Are more or less
covered with hair.
• Differentiated teeth.
• Advanced nervous
system
Dog - skeleton
Human skeleton
What am I?
Mammal, Bird, Fish, Amphibian or Reptile?