Course Contents

1. Introduction Classification of organisms; evolutionary relationships and tree diagrams; patterns of organization. 2. Animal-Like Protists: The Protozoa Evolutionary perspective; life within a single plasma membrane; symbiotic life-styles. Protozoan taxonomy: (up to phyla, subphyla and super classes, wherever applicable). Pseudopodia and amoeboid locomotion; cilia and other pellicular structures; nutrition; genetic control and reproduction; symbiotic ciliates; further phylogenetic considerations. 3. Multicellular and Tissue Levels of Organization Evolutionary perspective: origins of multicellularity; animal origins. Phylum porifera: cell types, body wall, and skeletons; water currents and body forms; maintenance functions; reproduction. Phylum cnidaria (coelenterata) the body wall and nematocysts; alternation of generations; maintenance functions; reproduction and classification up to class. Phylum ctenophora; further phylogenetic considerations. 4. The Triploblastic, Acoelomate Body Plan Evolutionary perspective; phylum platyhelminthes: classification up to class; the free-living flatworms and the tapeworms; phylum nemertea; phylum gastrotricha; further phylogenetic considerations. 5. The Pseudocoelomate Body Plan: Aschelminths Evolutionary perspective; general characteristics; classification up to phyla with external features; feeding and the digestive system; other organ systems; reproduction and development of phylum rotifera and phylum nematoda; phylum kinorhyncha. Some important nematode parasites of humans; further phylogenetic considerations. 6. Molluscan Success Evolutionary perspective: relationships to other animals; origin of the coelom; molluscan characteristics; classification up to class. The characteristics of shell and associated structures, feeding, digestion, gas exchange, locomotion, reproduction and development, other maintenance functions and diversity in gastropods, bivalves and cephalopods; further phylogenetic considerations. 7. Annelida: The Metameric Body Form Evolutionary perspective: relationship to other animals, metamerism and tagmatization; classification up to class. External structure and locomotion, feeding and the digestive system, gas exchange and circulation, nervous and sensory functions, excretion,regeneration, reproduction and development, in polychaeta, oligochaeta and hirudinea; further phylogenetic considerations. 8. The Arthropods: Blueprint for Success Evolutionary perspective: classification and relationships to other animals; metamerism and tagmatization; the exoskeleton; metamorphosis;classification up to class; further phylogenetic considerations. 9. The Hexapods and Myriapods: Terrestrial Triumphs Evolutionary perspective; classification up to class. External structure and locomotion, nutrition and the digestive system, gas exchange, circulation and temperature regulation, nervous and sensory functions, excretion, chemical regulation, reproduction and development in hexapoda; insect behaviour; insects and humans; further phylogenetic considerations. 10. Echinoderms Evolutionary Perspective: Relationships to other Animals; Echinoderm Characteristics; Classification up to class. Maintenance Functions, Regeneration, Reproduction, and Development in Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea, Holothuroidea and Crinoidea; Further Phylogenetic Considerations; Some Lesser-Known Invertebrates: The Lophophorates, Entoprocts, Cycliophores, and Chaetognaths.

Course Synopsis

This course imparts knowledge and provides the concept of evolutionary relationship of animal kingdom. The knowledge about different animal kingdom, emphasizing their phylogenetic relationship and simple to complex mode of animal life.

Course Learning Outcomes

The course is designed to provide students with: a. The concept of evolutionary relationship of animal kingdom. b. The knowledge about different animal kingdom, emphasizing their phylogenetic relationship and simple to complex mode of animal life.