Animal Kingdom Concept Map Explained

The animal kingdom is a huge domain where all the animals can be classified according to their anatomical features. This classification of the entire animal kingdom can be hard to memorize and remember. This is where you can use the best mind map of the animal kingdom developed by expert biology teachers. The basic of the classification is so well churned into a mind map that it gets imprinted in your mind. You can use it to write down the features of the animal kingdom, organization, classes, phyla, etc. Here is how you can utilize this animal kingdom concept map for properly studying this chapter in biology.

What is a Mind Map of the Animal Kingdom?

As mentioned earlier, the animal kingdom is quite diverse. It is theorized that there are 200 million insects in comparison to a human. Imagine the vastness of the entire animal kingdom. Specifying the different types of genus and species can take eons when there is no particular process to follow. This is where the classification map of the animal kingdom can do a brilliant job. It works as a universal language so that every enthusiast, student, or zoologist can understand which kind of animal is being mentioned.

To understand and remember this huge classification, you will need the assistance of a mind map of the animal kingdom. The mind map is developed by the experts in such a way that the students can easily memorize the phyla, classes, and species without any hassle. It is developed using the basic and different features that help us identify the animals. In fact, it will also help us remember all the present phyla, species, and classification hierarchy properly.

There are different concepts followed to prepare a well-defined concept map of classification of the animal kingdom. This enables the students and mentors to properly communicate based on the features used to define the map. This map consists of a flow chart where the classifications are defined and placed as per their specific features. The characteristics are what you need to remember. A few of the major ones will help you distinguish between the different classifications in the concept map of the animal kingdom.

How is the Animal Classification Map Designed?

This is quite an interesting subject you can study. In the previous classes, you have studied the various characteristics of animal classifications. You have learned how a mammal differs from a bird. What makes a spider arthropod? If you can recall these features of the different phyla and classes in the animal kingdom then preparing the mind map will be exceptionally easy.

One of the most common concepts is to use the hierarchy of the anatomical features of the animals. It all begins with the vertebral column. In most of the maps, you will discover the presence or absence of the vertebral column becomes important. Another concept map of classification of the animal kingdom is designed based on the presence and differentiation of the body cavity. On further differentiating the animal kingdom, we reached the phylum Chordata and then discovered the presence of animals with vertebral columns.

By using this idea, you can easily fill the concept map of classification of the animal kingdom in any suitable format when the questions are asked in the exams. Here is how you can benefit from using the mind map of animal classification.

Benefits of Using Concept Map of Animal Kingdom

Ease in Defining the Position of a Species in the Classification Map

If you observe a concept map, you will find that the classifications are done based on a particular set of features. If an animal has been described with its features, you can easily take the hints and consider the criteria to put that animal in the classification step by step. It means that mind mapping the classification will deliver the easiest platform to find out the position of that animal. You can easily define its genus and species along with the phylum.

Concentrating on the Proposed Map by R. H. Whittaker

The syllabus generally focuses on segregating the multi-cellular animals into a broad classification. This five-kingdom scheme was proposed by R H Whittaker. He was one of the noted ecologists who used an excellent method for developing a brilliant concept map of the animal kingdom. It surely helps the ecologists, students, researchers, mentors, and other associated academicians to find and describe the phylum and classification of the animals.

Learning Every Level of Organization on the Map

There are 4 different levels of organizations used in the concept map for multi-cellular animals. The first one is the cellular level. The second one is tissue level. The third one is the organ level of organization and the fourth one is the organ system level. This level of organization considers the essential and critical features of the animals.

Body Symmetry

Every animal’s body can be classified as per its body symmetry. The three types of body symmetry are asymmetrical, bilaterally symmetrical, and radially symmetrical.

Germ Layers

The embryonic layers also define the classification of the animals. The two distinct classifications are diploblastic (two layers) and triploblastic (three layers).

Kingdom of Animaria

Animals are multicellular species of eukaryotes belonging to the Kingdom of Animaria. Each animal has its own characteristics. They get energy from the intake of plants and other animals. There are millions of species identified, few with similar characteristics, but other species are significantly different.

Classification of Animal Kingdom

Animals are classified according to their characteristics. This classification of living things is known as taxonomy. The various species discovered so far can be divided into five kingdoms out of which one of them is the Kingdom Animal Kingdom. Members of the animal kingdom are further subdivided into different phyla, classes, Order, families, and genus based on specific identifiable characteristics.

Classified into

• Arthropoda (without backbones, Cold-blooded) 

• Fish (With Backbone, Cold-blooded)

• Amphibia (With Backbone, Cold-blooded)

• Reptiles(With Backbone, Cold-blooded)

• Aves (With Backbone, Warm-blooded)

• Mammals (With Backbone, warm-blooded)

One of the major forms of classification of animals is based on the presence or absence of the notochord. Hence, it is categorized into, namely: Chordates and Non-chordates.

Non- Chordates 

Non-chordates are animals that do not have a notochord and have a rod-shaped elastic structure that supports the body. This tribe is made up of small groups of marine species such as worms that have one level of tissue in their organ system. 

Some examples of Non-chordates are- Members of phylum Porifera, Coelenterata, ctenophora, Platyhelminthes, Aschelminthes, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, and Hemichordata. 

The General Features of Non Chordates

• These animals are cylindrical, triploblastic, coelomate, or pseudocoelomate.

• These animals breathe through the gills, trachea, or surface of the body. 

• In most cases, gender is indistinguishable between members. 

• Reproductive modes include sexual and asexual 

• Internal fertilization also occurs in some species, but fertilization occurs externally. 

• The body of non chordates usually contains an open circulatory system. 

Chordates 

Chordates are animals having notochord at some stage during their development. These members have a hollow nerve cord and pharyngeal gill slits. General characteristic features of Chordates are mentioned below

• They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, and coelomate. 

• They have a post-anal tail

• They have a closed circulatory system.

• In some members of Phylum Chordata, the notochord is present only in the larval tail whereas in others it is present throughout their life from head to tail region.

• Chordates have several subdivisions and Protochordates are one of the earliest of the evolution.

Phylum Chordata subdivision into three subphyla

• Urochordata

• Cephalochordata

• Vertebrata. 

Urochordata

Examples are Ascidians, Doliolum, Oikopleura, etc 

Subphylum – Cephalochordata

Examples are Lancelets or Amphioxus 

Vertebrata

They have further classifications or subdivisions of fishes, Amphibia, reptiles, Aves, mammals.

Classification of Vertebrates 

• Fish ( Pisces )

• Amphibia 

• Reptilia 

• Aves

• Mammalia 

What is a Mind Map of Animal Kingdom? 

Mind maps for generating ideas, brainstorming, creative thinking, and organizing related information.  It is important to know that the mind map revolves around the main focus topic that branches from the center to the outside into various hierarchical nodes. Each different node represents a particular subtopic, described by symbols and images, which can be explained in more detail or branched. In addition to branching subtopics, mind mapping allows you to randomly add words and sentences as an independent cloud. This property makes the mind map more personal than the concept map. 

Kingdom Animalia is made up of organisms ranging from the simplest animal forms to the most complex animals. Microorganisms are part of this classification of animals. On the other hand, we see animals that we may encounter in our daily lives. For example, you and I are members of the animal kingdom. Dogs, birds, cats, or even the nasty insects you find in your yard are all part of this huge kingdom. Scientifically speaking, all living things in this kingdom are eukaryotes. They are all multicellular and there are many cells. The classification of animals is called Animal Kingdom. It is further divided into different tribes. These are just subdivisions that classify animals/organisms with the same characteristics. Apart from the main features of the animal kingdom (eukaryotes, multicellular organisms, no cell walls, heterotrophs). Each tribe has creatures that share characteristics. In the animal taxonomy, they move from the simplest to the most complex.

Benefits of Concept Map in Animal Kingdom

Easily Locate Species in Classification Maps 

If you look at the concept map, you can see that it is categorized based on specific characteristics. Once the animal is described in its characteristics, you can easily follow the instructions and consider the criteria for including this animal in the classification in stages. This means that the mind mapping classification is the easiest platform for finding the location of this animal. You can easily define their genera and species along with the tribes. 

Focus on the Map proposed by R. H. Whittaker 

Curriculums generally focus on the general classification of multicellular animals. The plan for these five kingdoms is R. H. Proposed by  Whittaker. He was one of the renowned ecologists who used excellent methods to create stunning conceptual maps of the animal kingdom. It certainly helps ecologists, students, researchers, mentors, and other related scholars find and explain animal tribes and classifications. 

Learn Each Organization Level on the Map 

There are four different levels of tissue used in the multicellular animal concept map. The first is at the cellular level. The second is at the organizational level. The third is at the tissue level of the organ and the fourth is at the organ system level. At this tissue level, the essential and important characteristics of the animal are taken into account.

Body Symmetry 

Animal bodies can be classified according to their symmetry. There are three types of body symmetry: asymmetry, left-right symmetry, and radial symmetry.