3. Biodiversity of animals

1. Core Content

Biodiversity of Animals with a focus on six of the major phyla (Focus on the Developmental Lines and Phylogenetic Trees. No Further Details are Required Regarding the Morphology of the Six Phyla).

• The relationship between the body plan and grouping of animals in phyla. The concept of a phylum.

• Six phyla (out of about 30 in the animal kingdom):

- Porifera

- Cnidaria

- Platyhelminthes

- Annelida

- Arthropoda

- Chordata.

• Key features in respect of body plans:

- symmetry and cephalisation;

- the number of tissue layers developed from embryo;

- the number of openings in the gut;

- coelom and blood systems.

• The relationship between body plans and modes of living for each of the six phyla; similarities and differences.

• The role of invertebrates in agriculture and ecosystems (e.g., pollination, decomposition, soil aeration etc.)

3. Relevant video resources