Laboratory Activity No.

Lab #2

Title: Investigating Animal Kingdom Diversity: A Study of Classification and Features

Introduction:
Protostomes and deuterostomes are two major groups of animals, which represent
different developmental pathways in early embryonic development.
Protostomes are a large and diverse group of animals that constitute one of the two
major branches of bilateral animals (Bilateria), with the other being deuterostomes. The
term "protostome" comes from how their embryos develop.
In protostomes, during embryonic development, the first opening that forms becomes
the mouth, and the second opening becomes the anus. This is in contrast to
deuterostomes, where the first opening becomes the anus and the second becomes the
mouth.
Protostomes include a wide range of organisms, such as arthropods (like insects,
spiders, and crustaceans), mollusks (like snails, clams, and squids), annelids (like
earthworms and leeches), and several other phyla. They exhibit a tremendous diversity
in form, function, and habitat.
It's worth noting that while the protostome-deuterostome distinction is an important
classification in biology, it's not the only one. There are many other characteristics and
classifications used to categorize and understand the vast array of life on Earth.
Deuterostomes are a major evolutionary lineage of animals that includes vertebrates
(such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish) as well as some invertebrates
like echinoderms (like sea stars and sea urchins) and chordates (which include
vertebrates and some closely related invertebrates).

The name "deuterostome" comes from the Greek words "deutero," meaning second,
and "stoma," meaning mouth. This name reflects a key developmental characteristic
that distinguishes deuterostomes from another major group of animals called
protostomes (which includes arthropods like insects and crustaceans, as well as
mollusks and annelids).

In deuterostomes, during embryonic development, the first opening that forms, known
as the blastopore, eventually develops into the animal's anus. The mouth forms later, at
a different location. This means that the digestive tract of deuterostomes develops from
the "second" opening, which is the anus. In contrast, in protostomes, the blastopore
develops into the mouth, and the anus forms later.

Protostomes and deuterostomes are two major groups of animals classified based on
their embryonic development and body plan. The main difference between them lies in
the way their embryonic development proceeds, specifically in the formation of the
mouth and anus.

The fate of the Blastopore:

Protostomes: In protostomes, the blastopore, which is the opening that forms during
gastrulation (the early stage of embryonic development), develops into the mouth. This
means that the first opening to form in the embryo becomes the animal's mouth.
Deuterostomes: In deuterostomes, the blastopore develops into the anus. The mouth
forms later, typically from a secondary opening. In this case, the anus is the first
opening to develop.
Cleavage Patterns:
Protostomes: Protostomes typically undergo spiral cleavage, where the divisions of
cells in early embryonic stages are diagonal to the vertical axis of the embryo.
Deuterostomes: Deuterostomes undergo radial cleavage, where the divisions of cells
are parallel or perpendicular to the vertical axis of the embryo.
Coelom Formation:
Protostomes: The coelom (body cavity) in protostomes often forms by a process called
schizocoely, where small cavities form within the mesoderm and then expand to form
the coelom.
Deuterostomes: In deuterostomes, the coelom typically forms by enterocoely, where
the mesodermal pouches pinch off from the developing gut.
Examples:
Protostomes: Examples of protostomes include arthropods (e.g., insects, spiders),
mollusks (e.g., snails, clams, octopuses), and annelids (e.g., earthworms, leeches).
Deuterostomes: Examples of deuterostomes include chordates (e.g., vertebrates like
humans, fish, and birds) and echinoderms (e.g., starfish, sea urchins).
Evolutionary Perspective:
Protostomes and deuterostomes represent two different evolutionary lineages that
diverged early in animal evolution. This divergence is thought to have occurred over 500
million years ago.
It's important to note that while these differences are significant, they are not absolute
rules, and there are exceptions within each group. Additionally, both protostomes and
deuterostomes have evolved a wide range of body plans and ecological adaptations,
resulting in a diverse array of animal species within each group.

Objectives:
● To investigate the behavior, life cycle, and distinct features of animals in both
groups.
● Examine the different animal phyla in both groups.
● To assess the biodiversity within protosomes and deuterostomes and evaluate
the conversation status of different species.
● Investigating animal diversity to enhance our knowledge of the natural world, and
serves as a foundation for education and outreach about the importance of
biodiversity and ecology.
● To familiarize with the distinguishing features of the main groups of animals

Methodology:
For our methods, we will utilize Campbell Biology 12th ed. to use it as sources for the
table and the completion of the chart. Seeing that there are too many phyla, we will only
utilize three animal phyla to reduce work.

In addition to using Campbell Biology 12th ed., we will also utilize Chatgpt for double-
checking the distinguishing features for each phyla, as well as asking about
distinguishing features that are not mentioned in the Campbell Biology 12th ed.

In creating our chart, we will use Lucidchart to map out our chart. It is easy to use and
has a lot of creative use to it. We will simply stick with a minimalistic design so that the
information can be digestible.
Result:

Coelomate Animal Phyla Distinguishing Features

Deuterostome Urochordata ● tunic protection

(tunicates)

Cephalochordata ● blade-like shape

(lancelets)

Echinodermata ● ambulacral system

(Starfish, sea urchin)

Protostome Lophotrochozoa Platyhelminthes ● have bilateral

(Flatworms) symmetry and a
central nervous system
that processes
information from
sensory structures.

Ectoprocta ● filter feeding using

(Bryozoans) lophophore

Mollusca ● soft bodied

(snails, clams)
 Ecdysozoa Tardigrada ● ability of anhydrobiosis
(tardigrade)

Nematoda ● tough cuticle around

(Roundworms) their body

Arthropoda ● segmented
(insects, crustaceans) exoskeleton

Conclusion:
In this study investigating the diversity within the animal kingdom, we delved into the
classification and features of two major groups: protostomes and deuterostomes. These
groups, characterized by their distinct embryonic development and body plans, provide
valuable insights into the evolutionary history and adaptations of animals on our planet.

Protostomes, marked by their formation of the mouth from the first embryonic opening,
encompass a vast array of species such as arthropods, mollusks, and annelids. These
creatures showcase remarkable diversity in form, function, and habitat, underscoring
the adaptability of protostomes to a multitude of ecological niches.

In contrast, deuterostomes, with their unique characteristic of forming the anus from the
initial embryonic opening, include well-known animals like vertebrates and echinoderms.
Their distinct embryonic development sets them apart from protostomes and
underscores their evolutionary lineage.

Evolution has led to the diversification of these groups of animals, although related to
their past ancestors, they have become independent to become their own species.

Within the diverse realm of animal phyla, distinct characteristics define each group.
Urochordata, represented by tunicates, relies on protective tunics for defense.
Cephalochordata, exemplified by lancelets, boast a blade-like shape contributing to their
streamlined form. Echinodermata, including starfish and sea urchins, employ an
ambulacral system for essential functions. Platyhelminthes, known as flatworms, exhibit
bilateral symmetry and possess a central nervous system for sensory processing.
Ectoprocta, embodied by bryozoans, excel in filter-feeding through the use of a
lophophore. Mollusca, encompassing snails and clams, feature soft bodies. Tardigrada,
or tardigrades, showcase the remarkable ability of anhydrobiosis, enduring extreme
desiccation. Nematodes, or roundworms, are characterized by resilient cuticles around
their bodies. Lastly, Arthropoda, which includes insects and crustaceans, distinguishes
itself with segmented exoskeletons constructed of chitin.

These diverse features highlight the incredible adaptations that have evolved across the
animal kingdom, enabling life to flourish in various ecological niches.