Vertebrates vs Invertebrates

By Brian Roby

Getting the obvious out there…The major difference between vertebrates

and invertebrates is that vertebrates have a backbone and invertebrates do not.

Categories of AnimalsAll vertebrates are under the classification

“Chordates” This is the only group that includes

vertebratesHumans are classified under this group

Different Types of VertebratesVertebrates are broken down into 5 different

types

FishFish are categorized into 3 different types:

Cartilginous(Including sharks and rays), Ray-finned(Salmon all the way to goldfish), and Lobe-finned(Lungfish and coelacanths)

MammalsMammals are grouped into 3 different

categories: Monotremes (Platypuses), Marsupials (Kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, and possums), and Placental Mammals (Primates and Humans!)

ReptilesThe reptile group is very diverse and differs

greatly from most of vertebrates because it is a ectothermal animal meaning that it must get it’s body heat from the sun and shade

The Reptile group includes animals such as snakes, lizards, crocodiles, alligators, and turtles.

Amphibians Amphibians live a very odd life. They actually

change they’re form as they develop. They start as eggs and then transform into a fish life creature only to end up as a tetra pod (4 footed animal)

Amphibians include animals such as frogs, toads, and salamanders

BirdsBirds are covered in feathers which enable

them to fly making them one of the few vertebrates to be able to fly

Birds have over 9,700 species!!!!

Different Types of InvertebratesInvertebrates are broken down into 8

different categories Again, invertebrates are any animal without a

backbone

SpongesSponges have no tissues or organs in their

bodyThey’re filter feeders, meaning that they

pump water through their pores to feed There are 5,000 species of sponges!

CnidariansCnidarians are a very diverse group, this

group includes jellyfish, sea anemones and coral.

These animals are incredibly dangerous to humans sometimes.

Some cnidarians, such as the Box Jellyfish, can kill a human with one simple sting.

FlatwormsFlatworms include parasites which can harm

humans and sometimes kill themFlatworms include Tapeworms and Flukes

RoundwormsRoundworms are found all over earth,

including salt and fresh water! There are over 90,000 species of

roundworms, though the number is believed to be much higher

The most known species is of course the earthworm, which can be found anywhere dirt is

MolluscsMolluscs have three different types,

Gastropods (Snails and slugs), Bivalve molluscus ( Clams, scallops, and oysters) and Cephalopods(Octopuses and squids).

Most molluscs spend their lives living in a shell

There are over 43,700 species of molluscs

Arthropods Arthropods have 4 different groups that

include Insects (Bee’s and flies), Arachnids (Spiders), Crustaceans (Crabs and Lobster), and Millipedes and centipedes

The lack of a backbone for this animal does not affect it at all because of the tough exoskeleton that is around all Arthropods

EchinodermsThis class includes Sea Stars, Sea Urchins,

and Sea cucumbersThis group is the closest related to Humans

because of every member of the Echinoderms has radial symmetry just like humans do!!

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