overview of animals assignment

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Introduction to Animal Diversity Resources

Animal evolution began in the ocean over 600 million years ago with tiny creatures that probably do not resemble any living organism today. Since then, animals have evolved into a highly diverse kingdom. But what is an animal? While we can easily identify dogs, birds, fish, spiders, and worms as animals, other organisms, such as corals and sponges, are not as easy to classify. Animals vary in complexity—from sea sponges to crickets to chimpanzees—and scientists are faced with the difficult task of classifying them within a unified system. They must identify traits that are common to all animals as well as traits that can be used to distinguish among related groups of animals. The animal classification system characterizes animals based on their anatomy, morphology, evolutionary history, features of embryological development, and genetic makeup. This classification scheme is constantly developing as new information about species arises. Understanding and classifying the great variety of living species help us better understand how to conserve the diversity of life on earth. 

Learning Objectives

Recommended textbook resources.

OpenStax:  Biology 2e 

A review of the characteristics shared by all animals, including embryological development, and the characteristics used to classify different animal groups.  The later are used to explore major animal phylogenetic relationships. Also included in a brief overview of the evolution of animals from Precambrian life through the Cenozoic.

Student Assessment Activities

Project 1:  

Go to https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/news/120501_habitatloss and read the article entitled “Lessons for today in ancient mass extinctions”. Answer the six Discussion and Extension questions at the bottom of the page and submit your answers to your instructor.

Project 2:  

Go to https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/news/120901_afterextinction and read the article entitled “What comes after mass extinctions?” Answer the seven Discussion and Extension questions at the bottom of the page and submit your answers to your instructor.

Project 3:  

Instructors should go to https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/teach/Phylogenetics_Lab_Catley_Novick.pdf to find the student handout and instructor handout for the lab “Phylogenetics Laboratory: Reconstructing Evolutionary History”.  The lab is written for students to complete in class while viewing preserved specimens of major animal phyla along with a computer or textbook to look up different traits of each group, but the lab could be adapted to an online setting by providing images of the specimens/samples. Students submit the lab for grading.

Find the correct answers to the end of the chapter “Review Questions.” Note the page number on which you found the answer. Be prepared to share and explain your answers in a group setting. 

Answer the end of the chapter “Critical Thinking Questions.” Note the page number on which you found the answer. Be prepared to share and explain your answers in a group setting.

Lecture Slides

Intro to Animal Diversity Google Slides

Intro to Animal Diversity PowerPoint Slides

Anatomy and Physiology of Animals

(9 reviews)

Ruth Lawson, Otago Polytechnic

Copyright Year: 2015

Publisher: WikiBooks

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Amy Girifalco, Associate Professor, North Shore Community College on 5/28/24

This book is missing the cardiovascular system which is a key component to the anatomy and physiology of animals. read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 2 see less

This book is missing the cardiovascular system which is a key component to the anatomy and physiology of animals.

Content Accuracy rating: 3

Overall the book is accurate except it is missing the cardiovascular section.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

This book is up to date except that it is missing the cardiovascular system.

Clarity rating: 4

The book is written in a clear manner and provides adequate context.

Consistency rating: 5

The book's framework and terminology are consistent throughout.

Modularity rating: 5

The text is easily and readily broken up into smaller reading sections making it easy to navigate overall.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The overall layout and organization of the book is easily to follow and logical.

Interface rating: 2

I found the diagrams, images used to be too simplistic and difficult to interpret. Many images missed important details that would enhance the readers understanding. Many images are grainy and should not be black and white.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

There are a few grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

This book is relevant to the veterinary world. It is not culturally insensitive or offensive.

This book is well organized but is missing a major body system. The cardiovascular system is not included in this text. The images are also fairly simple, black and white and some are poor quality. With anatomy, utilizing images (especially color images) is an important part of the learning process. This would be an important update to the text.

Reviewed by Kalynn Baldock, Assistant Professor, Eastern New Mexico University on 12/1/21

The title would lead one to believe the textbook would cover a broader range of animals. It appears to be more of the anatomy and physiology of domesticated animals. Missing the cardiovascular system chapter. read more

The title would lead one to believe the textbook would cover a broader range of animals. It appears to be more of the anatomy and physiology of domesticated animals. Missing the cardiovascular system chapter.

Content is mostly accurate, however the figures can be misleading and hard to understand.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

Some terms have became outdated.

The text is written in a format that is easy to understand. Very simplistic.

Consistency rating: 4

Most chapters maintain the same format and consistency.

Modularity rating: 4

Modularity of this book is readily divided into smaller sections. Some sections do seem to be too small and could use some more material.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The chapters flow in a clear and logical fashion. There are some chapters that might benefit from being moved around.

Interface rating: 3

Many of the images/charts are not clear. Images need to include color and more detail to aid in student learning.

There are some grammatical errors which need editing.

This textbook is could be a great reference with some updating and addition of better graphics. Some chapters need more information and the Cardiovascular system chapter needs be included (currently nothing).

Reviewed by Kevin Kinney, Professor, DePauw University on 1/1/21

Broad, yes- most of the topics are there, and even more than some comparative physiology texts (e.g., many of the latter ignore the lymphatic system). But lacking in depth to a troubling degree. This is more an intro to mammalian anatomy text... read more

Broad, yes- most of the topics are there, and even more than some comparative physiology texts (e.g., many of the latter ignore the lymphatic system). But lacking in depth to a troubling degree. This is more an intro to mammalian anatomy text than Anatomy and Physiology of animals. Even at the outset, in the cell chapter, lots of information that is lacking on cell function.

The cardiovascular chapter is entirely missing!

Content Accuracy rating: 4

As far as I can tell, reasonably accurate within its very limited scope

Relevance/Longevity rating: 2

Not really up to date in any complete way. This is *very* basic information, more an intro biology text than AS&P.

Clarity rating: 3

Clear, but very simplistic.

Consistency rating: 3

Nothing to say about this really

As good as any book can be. Rather inconsistent in chapter openers.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

Very limited in topics, not a lot of time on a lot of key areas (e.g. muscle function and control). No comparative aspects to speak of

The figures are **very** basic and cartoony. Simple hand-drawn line diagrams. Not really suitable for a modern textbook.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Not applicable really

Not, despite the title, a physiology text. At best an intro to mammal (and only a few types at that) anatomy.

Reviewed by Rachel Wilson, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Portland State University on 3/22/19

The chapter on the cardiovascular system was absent. The focus of this textbook is very mammalian heavy, though some chapters have sections on birds. Reptiles and amphibians are, for the most part, absent from the textbook. Also, some concepts are... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

The chapter on the cardiovascular system was absent. The focus of this textbook is very mammalian heavy, though some chapters have sections on birds. Reptiles and amphibians are, for the most part, absent from the textbook. Also, some concepts are conveyed as perhaps too simplistic (e.g. Introductory and background material, ribosomes, Muscular system).

This texts presents some terms that are outdated. For example, the use of cold- and warm-blooded are no longer in use; the terms ecto- and endo-thermic should be used instead. Some topics are discussed only through a mammalian lens: this text refers to adipose tissue as an insulating fat layer under the skin. This is only the case in mammals whereas reptiles and amphibians do not have subcutaneous fat, just intraperitoneal fat.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Some sentence structure could be clarified, but it does not impede understanding of topics or draw too much from the information provided.

Sometimes too small of reading sections because the breadth of the material could go deeper. But otherwise, I liked the modularity of this text.

In many Anatomy and Physiology texts, the nervous system is covered a little earlier in the text. But I don't think that this draws anything away from the material.

Interface rating: 4

Some figures were absent.

Some grammar needs editing, but it does not impede understanding of topics or draw too much from the information provided.

Not insensitive or offensive.

I have never seen a ‘Classification’ chapter in an A and P book before, which is great because this an important biological concept! But what’s a primitive vertebrate?

Integration of chapters could be better (e.g. reiterating tissue types especially in the digestive system, and integrating the senses and nervous chapters).

Reviewed by Katrina Swinehart, Assistant Professor, Central State University on 9/26/18

The text does a good job of addressing this topic clearly and uses good examples. I wish it had more livestock science pieces to it, but I am using this text in a livestock course. read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The text does a good job of addressing this topic clearly and uses good examples. I wish it had more livestock science pieces to it, but I am using this text in a livestock course.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Very accurate and clear.

Very relevant and the content will likely not shift quickly over time.

Clarity rating: 5

Very clear.

The majority of the terms are similar to other texts.

Broken down by chapter and done quite well.

Flows and is organized very well.

I wish the text were larger and easier to read.

Not likely to be found offensive.

This text is a great alternate for a text in this subject. I wish there was another free book to pair with this one to comprehensively teach animal science.

Reviewed by Moshe Khurgel, Associate Professor, Bridgewater College on 6/19/18

As a textbook titled Anatomy and Physiology of Animals, this book scores very low in its comprehensiveness, since it presents information only on domesticated mammals. Even as a textbook on Anatomy and Physiology of domesticated mammals, the... read more

As a textbook titled Anatomy and Physiology of Animals, this book scores very low in its comprehensiveness, since it presents information only on domesticated mammals. Even as a textbook on Anatomy and Physiology of domesticated mammals, the comprehensiveness is still fairly low: most topics are covered very superficially, and some systems are missing altogether.

The book has multiple factual mistakes and inaccuracies. Some of the examples include:

• Fig. 8 and p. 17 (Ch. 1) – technically, there are 7 classes of vertebrates • Fig. 8 – inaccurate visual representation of vertebrate animal distribution: the segments of 4% and 8% are larger than 5% and 12%, respectively! • Fig. 9 – most sources reference 3-5% as the relative abundance of vertebrate species within all animals. It’s not clear how the author arrived at 9%. • P. 17 – 90% of all invertebrates are insects - that's false • Organelles don’t have “jobs” (p.31); nucleus doesn’t control the activity of the cell (p. 34). There is more than one mitochondrion in cells. The nucleus is not listed as one of the main organelles, but is mentioned as such in the summary. • Mitochondria do NOT make (p.31) or produce (p. 40) energy! That’s a serious mistake. It’s very misleading to call mitochondria “power stations”. • The gut doesn’t break down food (p. 146); enzymes do. • Taste buds are NOT taste receptors (p. 208) • Humans distinguish at least 5, not 4, tastes (p. 209) • Triiodothyronine, not thyroxine (p. 225), is the principal hormone that regulates growth in mammals. • Thyroxine does NOT consist of 60% iodine (p. 225). Its structure is C15H11I4NO4.

Some of the content is already outdated (p. 209 – the number of tastes that humans sense).

Much (but far from all) of the anatomy and physiology of animals knowledge is established. The outdated presentation of that knowledge in this textbook makes it of low relevance and longevity. Much more effective, royalty-free images are available to help students learn how animals are structured and how they function.

Clarity rating: 2

There is a pedagogically significant difference between using prose that’s accessible vs. simplistic and inaccurate. This book relies a lot on the latter to the detriment of students learning real biology (“rod cells are long and fat” p. 210 - is just one of the multiple examples).

• Fig. 8 designates “primitive vertebrates” as a classification group. It’s not clear what “primitive” means here. Which acceptable taxonomy framework uses that term? No animals are listed as examples for that group in the text.

• What does it mean that parathyroid hormone “regulates the amount of calcium in the blood”? Is the hormone secreted to decrease or to increase calcium levels?

There are some issues with internal consistency:

• The references to chapters and sections are used interchangeably. • The books starts out with consecutively numbered figures and text references to figures. This approached is switched in Ch. 3 to figures that continue to be numbered consecutively, but now are labeled also as “diagrams” with a different numbering system: ex. Figure 15 Diagram 3.5, with the text now referring to diagrams. • Inconsistent use of classification terminology: Fig. 8 purportedly demonstrates percentage-based distribution of animal classes within the phylum of vertebrates. It shows 6 “different kinds of vertebrate” [sic], but the textbook discusses 5 “groups or classes” (p. 17). • Inconsistent spacing for punctuation throughout the book • Sloppy use and application of terminology

In some way, the book is too modular: the interchange of biological principles between systems is virtually non-existent.

The logical flow to the presentation of systems is not apparent: why does the chapter on (skeletal) muscles precede the chapter on the nervous system, or why is the reproductive system discussed prior to the endocrine system?

• Figs. 8 and 9 are reversed in the logical flow of chapter 1. • Taxonomic hierarchy is summarized at the end of the chapter, rather than being introduced at the beginning to set up the framework for the material.

There is a significant degree of distortion (excessive pixilation) in many non-photographic figures.

There are a few instances of editing oversights: extra spaces, failure to separate words and odd punctuation. These do not significantly detract from readability, but does show lack of polish for the final product.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

The term “primitive” as applied to a group of animals is scientifically incorrect, and culturally outdated.

I am very disappointed in this book. As a professor of animal physiology, I seek a textbook that will allow me to balance between polished presentation (and a very high cost) from edu market publishers and open textbooks with less sophisticated layouts and graphics, but a much lower cost. However, the latter should still be factually sophisticated, useful teaching tools, rather than a collection of links to Wikipedia.

Apart from the fact that this book is limited to anatomical and physiological features of a small number of domesticated animals, even discussion of those systems is presented at a very elementary level; many explanations are at the primary school level. There isn’t a sufficient, college-level depth in any particular aspect of the book (ex: inhalation/inspiration is presented in one short paragraph); for that, the readers are referred to Wikipedia at the end of every chapter.

Each chapter starts with a list of learning objectives (LOs), which are poorly formulated. What does “completing” a chapter mean, if completion is not one of the LOs? What does it mean that a student should “know” X after completing a chapter? Should they be able to recognize X, re-create X, list X, or apply X? We expect accuracy and appropriate use of terminology in professional communications and in students’ answers; we must provide a specific, directional clarity for them to acquire useful knowledge. More significantly, studying the information in the chapters would not help students to achieve many of the LOs.

Many questions in the “Test Yourself” section at the end of chapters do not address the LOs, but rather test the minutiae information from the chapter.

University-level students will not acquire essential, comprehensive knowledge about any aspect of animal biology in this book.

Reviewed by Patrick Wilson, Clinical Assistant Professor, Washington State University on 4/11/17

This book is more of a domestic animal anatomy book, although references to certain domestic animals having specific characteristics is sometimes lacking. Much of the first chapter is unnecessary, and the latter half would be well placed as a... read more

This book is more of a domestic animal anatomy book, although references to certain domestic animals having specific characteristics is sometimes lacking. Much of the first chapter is unnecessary, and the latter half would be well placed as a subheading under digestion. The classification of animals would be a good first chapter, although the duck billed platypus and spine anteater should be placed under protheria. The placement of exocrine vs. endocrine glands would be better placed under discussion of epithelia derivatives, rather than skin glands. The cardiovascular section was missing. Not all the cranial nerves are listed. There are multiple generalities made that are not true with all species, even domestic species.

There are many overstated generalities, inaccuracies and incomplete descriptions of function through the text. Many errors, incompleteness in cell structure, organelle functions. Illustrations of poor quality with some errors in labeling. Misuse of terminology. Misclassification of humans as herbivores.

This book is in need of an update. Use of human anatomical terminology should be avoided where appropriate.

The text is written simply and is easy to read.

Somewhat consistent, although one section (Cardiovascular) is missing.

Modularity is good.

Should start with Classification. After Cells, the Body Organization should follow the tissues, including epithelia, connective tissue (both of which are described in this section), muscle, bone and nervous tissue, and possibly even blood. Then overall body organization, followed by the organ systems.

The images were very simplistic and not high quality. Just as photos were used at the chapter headings, photos and color images would be helpful.

Some errors present.

Cultural Relevance rating: 1

The author(s) should focus on who this text is intended for - pre-vet, animal science, zoology. I would err towards completeness, even if not all in emphasized in the course. This is a needed resource, so a rewrite with investment in accuracy, organization, completeness and higher quality images would be worthwhile

Reviewed by Zelieann Craig, Assistant Professor, University of Arizona on 2/8/17

This is a very well-organized textbook focused mostly on anatomy of veterinary-relevant species and geared towards veterinary nurses or technicians. For that purpose the book contains nearly all relevant subjects each with appropriate... read more

This is a very well-organized textbook focused mostly on anatomy of veterinary-relevant species and geared towards veterinary nurses or technicians. For that purpose the book contains nearly all relevant subjects each with appropriate organization within the index. A few areas for improvement are noted including the fact that the cardiovascular system topic is completely missing from the table of contents and book! This may have been a printing error, but should be addressed to improve the impact of the book. Also, some aspects of hormone regulation are missing from the gastrointestinal system discussion (e.g. gastrointestinal hormones) and a discussion of feedback loops that govern endocrine function. Other than that, I find this book to be appropriate in other areas.

The content is accurate, but the cardiovascular system was missing from the entire text.

This textbook is up-to-date, is relevant, and because of the subject, it will be long-lived as long as it is appropriately updated. Based on its organization, I would anticipate that this text will be relatively easy to update.

The text is easy to understand and provides definitions and explanations that will help students get acquainted with new terminology and concepts.

The format and style of the book is consistent throughout.

The text is organized into modules which are subdivided well according to the material. It should be straightforward to assign readings from this text for specific needs or subunits of a course.

This text is well-organized and logically presented from basic building blocks to more complex systems. The organizational sequence of each chapter flowing from learning objectives to material to review questions and additional resources is very good and should help instructors as they teach this subject.

The text was easy to navigate but a couple of things could be improved. Anatomy and Physiology students do better with good images that keep them interested and are clear. Perhaps, color or computer generated images could be included to help with this. Also, in some cases, images were referred to in the text or labeled in between paragraphs but were not available in the text at all.

Minimal errors

This textbook is a great idea and is worth investing time into improving it. It is appropriate for the audience intended, although there is always room to make more physiology connections with the anatomy already presented. It is very important that the cardiovascular section be added to make it whole. Also, perhaps a title revision to more visibly show that it is intended for veterinary nurses and technicians and thus, focuses more on veterinary species.

Reviewed by Jonathan Moore, Instructor, Virginia Commonwealth University on 12/5/16

This textbook is really more geared to tetrapods/mammals than animals. There is essentially no fish anatomy/physiology described in this text and many of the other systems focus on mammals. Further, major portions of the circulatory system under... read more

This textbook is really more geared to tetrapods/mammals than animals. There is essentially no fish anatomy/physiology described in this text and many of the other systems focus on mammals. Further, major portions of the circulatory system under the cardiovascular system are completely missing. Moreover, this text is physiology light. I had expected to see more based on the title.

I found not errors in content. Some of the figures might be confusing, however.

The text is up to date and relevant.

US students might find the British spellings confusing, but that ought not be too much of a concern. The text will often refer to figures that are not there or hard to find.

The terms used are consistent.

The book is appropriately and clearly divided into sections of anatomy. Physiology is not necessarily all that clear.

The information is mostly presented in a clear and logical fashion. Some of the earlier chapters may not be all the necessary for the scope of the book and could be removed and more physiology and all animal anatomy be inserted.

The features are fine and would be improved by hyperlinks.

Grammatical Errors rating: 3

There are some glaring typos throughout the book.

Not sure this is relevant.

This text should be titled something differently, or should be far more inclusive. It would have limited use for a comparative anatomy course and essentially no use for a comparative physiology course. Might be a good reference for a lower level vertebrate course, and only then for certain tetrapod vertebrates.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1 Chemicals
• Chapter 2 Classification
• Chapter 3 The Cell
• Chapter 4 Body Organisation
• Chapter 5 The Skin
• Chapter 6 The Skeleton
• Chapter 7 Muscles
• Chapter 8 Cardiovascular System
• Chapter 9 Respiratory System
• Chapter 10 Lymphatic System
• Chapter 11 The Gut and Digestion
• Chapter 12 Urinary system
• Chapter 13 Reproductive System
• Chapter 14 Nervous System
• Chapter 15 The Senses
• Chapter 16 Endocrine System

Ancillary Material

About the book.

Veterinary nurses need to have a firm grasp of the normal structure of an animal's body and how it functions before they can understand the effect diseases and injuries have and the best ways to treat them.

This book describes the structure of the animal body and the way in which it works. Animals encountered in normal veterinary practice are used as examples where possible.

About the Contributors

Ruth Lawson is a zoologist who gained her first degree at Imperial College, London University and her D.Phil from York University, UK. After post graduate research on the tropical parasitic worm that causes schistosomiasis, she emigrated to New Zealand where she spent 10 years studying how hydatid disease spreads and can be controlled. With the birth of her daughter, Kate, she started to teach at the Otago Polytechnic, in Dunedin. Although human and animal anatomy and physiology has been her main teaching focus, she retains a strong interest and teaches courses in parasitology, public health, animal nutrition and pig husbandry. Ruth lives on the Otago Peninsula overlooking the beautiful Otago Harbour where she races her Topper sailing dinghy. She also enjoys tramping, skiing and gardening and has meditated for many years.

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• Multifunction I/O  Voltage Current Digital I/O Counters and Timers Packaged Controllers Industrial Communication Buses Vehicle Communication Buses
• Avionics Communication Buses Temperature Sound and Vibration Strain, Pressure, and Force Position Displacement  Machine Vision Board-Level Controllers HMIs and Displays
• Signal Conditioning Programming Environments for Data Acquisition and Control Control & Software Suites for Data Acquisition and Control Application Software for Data Acquisition and Control Add-Ons for Data Acquisition and Control SystemLink™ Software
• Oscilloscopes Digital Instruments Frequency Counters Power Supplies and Loads Switches GPIB, Serial, and Ethernet 
• Digital Multimeters Waveform Generators Source Measure Units and LCR Meters FlexRIO Custom Instruments and Processing Programming Environments for Electronic Test and Instrumentation
• Software Suites for Electronic Test and Instrumentation Application Software for Electronic Test and Instrumentation Add-Ons for Electronic Test and Instrumentation Semiconductor Test System SystemLink™ Software
• Vector Signal Transceivers  RF Signal Generators Software Defined Radios Network Analyzers Spectrum and Signal Analyzers
• RF and Microwave Switches Power Sensors RF Signal Conditioning Programming Environments for Wireless Design and Test Test & Software Suites for Wireless Design and Test
• Application Software for Wireless Design and Test Add-Ons for Wireless Design and Test Semiconductor Test System
• SystemLink™ Software Configuration Module SystemLink™ Test Module SystemLink™ Server SystemLink™ TDM DataFinder Module SystemLink™ Asset Module TestStand DIAdem
• Portable Student Devices Radio Prototyping Hardware Engineering Lab Stations LabVIEW Academic Volume License Multisim Education Edition

Elevate Performance with Test

Unlocking the full benefits of test isn’t just about using a better tool. It requires an intentional strategy with automation, standardization, and digital transformation initiatives.

5G Isn't for You

5G isn’t for humans, but it will make human life better. As 5G extends well beyond wireless devices, let’s talk about who—or rather, what—it’s for.

Engineering Ambitiously—from Anywhere

Providing engineers with easier remote access to tools isn’t just useful, it’s vital. Learn about the four factors that enhance productivity during uncertain times.

Breaking Out of Testing Silos

Standardizing your test approach is easier than you may think, and the benefits are worth the investment. Learn how to put standards in place to reduce cost and save time.

Be Prepared for an Uncertain Future

The modern lab isn’t just a renovated workspace—it’s a living and breathing nucleus that bolsters your organization and elevates your tools, people, and processes.

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