Animal Diversity Animal Diversity

The aim of this module is to provide an overview of the diversity of animal life: to look at the

evolutionary relationships between animals, to classify the major animal groupings, and to examine

links between form, function, ecological niche and biogeography. Students are expected to become

familiar with the specimens on display in the Cole Museum of Zoology and in the teaching collection

and to be able to identify animals from across taxa.

WHO OR WHAT ARE YOU?

Scientific naming of animals (Linnaean taxonomy).

D) Which of the animals below is not a bilaterian?

Zoologists need to learn the scientific names and classifications of animals.

Every recognized species is given a two-part scientific name, a generic name and

a specific name. The generic name groups a number of animals together, e.g.

Mus domesticus and Mus dunni are both mice but different species. These names

allow zoologists throughout the world to communicate unambiguously about

animal species since there are sets of international rules about how to name

animals. This system was first developed in the 18th century by Carolus

Linnaeaus. It classifies animals into a hierarchy, starting with Kingdoms. These

are divided into Phyla (singular: Phylum) which are divided into Classes, and

they, in turn, into Orders, Families, Genera (singular: Genus), and Species.

A) Look at the groups listed below. Which are you in, along with

starfish, wasps, cod, pandas and all the animals listed on the right ?

Bilateria

Myxozoa

Cnidaria

Ctenophora

Placozoa

Porifera

B) What animal is this?

Molecular phylogeny

Answers: A: Bilateria, bilaterally symmetrical with a body cavity, mouth and anus (includes most animals); B: A springtail, Podura aquatica (Hexapoda, Collembola); C) Holocephali, the “Chimaeras”, related to sharks and rays, D) A trick question, they all are; a),Annelida, b) Deuterostoma, c) Arthropoda. Photos: Steve Hopkin, Greg W. Rouse D. and M. Dimijian.

a) Autolytus pachycerus; b) Smilisca phaeota; c) Palomina

prasina.

Early taxonomic classifications relied on shared morphological

(outer form and inner structure), behavioural and physiological

characters to group animals together. Today molecular techniques

allow us to sequence stretches of an animal’s DNA. By comparing

the DNA sequences of different organisms we can discover

relationships that cannot otherwise be inferred from morphology.

Because genomes evolve by the gradual accumulation of mutations,

the amount of nucleotide sequence difference between a pair of

genomes from different organisms should indicate how recently

those two genomes shared a common ancestor. Animals that

diverged in the recent past should have fewer differences than

animals whose common ancestor is more ancient.

C) What is this odd-looking marine animal?

Comparison of

morphological

and molecular

classifications

of chalcid wasp

species

(Heraty, 2003)

The Cole Museum of Zoology

The Cole Museum of Zoology

contains some 3500 specimens, 400

of which are arranged in 27 cases in

taxonomic sequence. Students use

museum specimens as a starting

point to study an animal group in

more detail. A CD-ROM based on

The Cole Museum has been

developed to provide in-depth

information and aid the learning

process. Practical exams are held

during the course where students

are presented with specimens to

identify and comment on.

Students have the opportunity to

design new cases for the Cole

Museum and develop temporary

exhibitions.