Acoelomates

• Platyhelminthes
• The Triploblastica
• The Acoelomata
 Platyheminthes (Flatworms)
• They are the lowest of the triploblastica
animals, and the first animals to appear
in distinct organs and organ systems.
They represent free-living animals,
such as the Turbellaria class, and two
other groups of the most important
parasitic animals: the Trematoda class
and the Cestoda class.The name of the
phylum consists of two Greek roots:
platys, meaning flat, and helmins,
meaning worm.General features of the
phylum Flatworms..
 Phylum: Platyhelminthes
General features of the phylum
Flatworms
1-Simple animals with bilateral symmetry and have
three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and
endoderm).
2-Flatworms are dorsoventrally flattened
acoelomates.
3-Cephalization – “brain” at anterior end.
4-Digestive tract with ONE opening.
5-Excretory organs = flame cells.
• 6 -It does not have a respiratory or circulatory system.
• 7 -Its nervous system - consists of a pair of cerebral
nerve ganglia and 1-3
• Pairs of longitudinal nerve cords connected to each
other by transverse nerve connections, and this is called
The device is a ladder type, or some of them have
sensory organs, such as simple eyes.
• 8-Most of them are hermaphrodite, they have well-
developed reproductive organs, fertilization is internal
and may It may be cross or self-growing, direct or
indirect. It may reproduce sexually or asexually
• 9 -They mostly have organs for adhesion, such as cups,
suckers, or hooks. This is because of its parasitic
livelihood.
• 10-Examples: Planaria, flukes, tapeworms.
• The phylum includes four classes
• 1-Class Turbellaria: This class consists of free-
living (nonparasitic) representatives.
• 2-Class Monogenea: Members of this class are
all parasitic. Six suckers are used to suck
digested material from their hosts.
• 3-Class Trematoda: Members of this class are
all parasitic. They have 2-3 suckers and the
body is flattened.
• 4-Class Cestoda: Members of this class are all
parasitic. They have 4 suckers and sometimes
hooks on the scolex (head).
• The members of the phylum Platyhelminthes
differ from the Phylum Cnidaria in that they:
• 1- Exhibit bilateral symmetry with moderate
cephalisation.
• 2-Are triploblastic (develop from three-
layered embryos: ectoderm, endoderm and
mesoderm(.
• 3. Possess several distinct organs, organ
systems, and true muscles.
 Non parasitic flatworms

Freshwater planarian

Marine
flatworms
 Parasitic flatworms (tapeworms)

Mature proglottids with eggs Life cycle

Parasitic flukes
 Morphology
• Adult worms are 10 to 20
mm long; the male has a
ventral groove called
gynaecophoral canal in
which the slender female
worm resides.
• Eggs are oval but without
operculum and usually
possess a spine or knob at
one end (S. haematobium)
or on one side (S. japonicum
and S. mansoni).
Life cycle of Schistosomes
Lecture6
Pseudocoelomates
 Pseudocoelomates
This group includes two phyla:
1. Phylum Rotifera
2. Phylum Nematoda
• Bodies are cylindrical with tapered ends
• They have complete digestive tract
• The sexes are separated and the females
are larger than males.
• Some species infect humans and cause
serious diseases.
• Examples: Ascaris lumbricoides,
Enterobius vermicularis, Trichiuris
trichiura
 Roundworms (Nematodes)
• Complete digestive tract ( 2 openings )
• Pseudocoelomate body plan
• 3 tissue layers
• 2 nerve cords ( dorsal and ventral )
• Free living and parasitic
 Nematoda: Roundworms
• They have rounded bodies.
• They have complete digestive tract
(digestive tract has both a mouth and
an anus ).
• They live in damp places and they can
also live inside humans and other
animals.
• They too can make people and other
animals sick.
• Most wide-spread animal on earth!
– Billions can live in just one agar of
 Ascaris lumbricoides (Large
intestinal roundworm)
The annual global morbidity due to ascariasis is
estimated at 1 billion with a mortality rate of
20,000. As a parasitic disease, ascariasis can
affect all ages, but it is more prevalent in
children (5 to 9 years old). The incidence is
higher in poor rural populations. The
infection with A. lumricoides is very
common in Iraq.

Morphology
• The female worm ranges from 20 to 35 cm in
length, while the male is smaller (rarely more
than 30 cm long) and more slender and may
be distinguished by a coiled tail.
 Life cycle
• The infection occurs by ingestion of food
contaminated with infective eggs which hatch
in the upper small intestine. The larvae
invade the intestinal mucosa, and are carried
via the portal, then systemic circulation to the
lungs. The larvae mature further in the lungs
(10 to 14 days), penetrate the alveolar walls,
climb the bronchial tree to the throat, and
are swallowed. Upon reaching the small
intestine, they develop into adult worms.
• Adult worms can live up to 2 years. A female
may produce approximately 200,000 eggs per
day, which are passed with the feces, and
under suitable conditions infective larvae are
formed within the egg. The eggs are resistant
to chemical disinfectant and survive for
months in sewage, but are killed by heat (40
o
Life cycle
Symptoms
• The severity of symptoms depends on the
number of worms. Light infections are
usually without symptoms. In severe
infections, the patient may loss weight
and may suffer from anorexia ,
intermittent loose stool and occasional
vomiting.
• During the pulmonary stage, there may be
a brief period of cough, wheezing and sub-
sternal discomfort. A heavy infection is
likely to cause bowel obstruction,
especially in children. Most symptoms are
due to the physical presence of the worm
Diagnosis
• Diagnosis is based mainly on finding the
eggs or adult worms in the stool.
Treatment and control
• Mebendazole is effective. Good hygiene,
adequate disposal of faecal waste,
adequate washing of contaminated fruits
and vegetables are the best control
measures.
 Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm)

• Enterobiasis is the commonest helminthic

infection in the world. The worldwide
infection is about 210 million. It is an urban
disease of children in crowded environment
(schools, day care centers, etc.). Parents may
get it from their children. The infection with
this worm is very common in Iraq.
 Morphology
The female adult
worm is larger than
the adult male. The
female is
distinguished by a
long, thin, sharply
pointed tail and
from this character,
the name (pinworm)
is derived.
When eggs are ingested with food or water, infection occurs. The
larvae hatch in the duodenum and reach adulthood in the small
intestine. Adult worms migrate to lower ilium, cecum and colon
and live there. The adult females migrate, at night, to the anal
region and lay their eggs there. Eggs mature in an oxygenated,
moist environment and become infectious within 3 to 4 hours.
Person-to-person and auto- infection are very common and
humans are the only known hosts.
Symptoms
Severe itching around the anal opening and/or vagina,
caused by the female migration is the classic symptom of
pinworm infection. Although most infected individuals
have few or no symptoms, some infected individuals
may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as pain,
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and insomnia.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of pinworm infection is made by finding the
adult worm or eggs in the perianal area, particularly at
night. Scotch tape is used to obtain eggs and sometimes
adult worms. Eggs may be found in the stools, but this is
exceptional because the female worms do not deposit
eggs until they leave the intestinal tract.

Treatment and control

Albendazole is the drug of choice. Pyrental Pamoate and
mebendazole are good alternatives. In order to avoid
reinfection and also to help prevent others from getting
pinworms, the whole family should be treated. Personal
cleanliness is the most reliable control measure.
Lecture 7
Think smarter rather than work harder
Coelomates
Phylum Mollusca
 Mollusca
• Include snails and slugs (Class
Gastropoda), bivalves like clams and
scallops (Class Bivalvia), and squids and
octopi (Class Cephalopoda).
• Molluscs have a muscular foot for
locomotion, a visceral mass that
contains internal organs and a mantle
that covers the visceral mass and
secrets a shell.
• Many molluscs have a toothed, tongue-
like structure called a radula.
• Molluscs have a ciliated larva called a
 Phylum
Mollusca

Class Class Class

Class
Gastropo Bivalvia Cephalopo
Polyplacoph
da da
ora
chitons Snails Clam Squid
s Octop
us
 Phylum Mollusca

Well developed circulatory

system
Nervous system with brain
Some with good eyes
Three main parts:
• Muscular foot- for movement
• Visceral mass- contains most of the
internal organs
• Mantle cavity- contains the gills
Body – visceral mass covered by
mantle, muscular foot
 Class
Cephalopoda
Calcium carbonate shells secreted by the
mantle layer
mantle makes shell, protects organs
• Clams
• Oysters
• Snails
• scallops
• Octopus, squid ( reduced/absent/or internal
shell
 Mollusca: Octopi, Squid, Slugs,
Snails, and Bivalves
• A mollusk has a soft body usually covered
by a hard shell, a rough tongue (radula), a
muscular foot, and a mantle (thin layer of
tissue that covers the mollusk’s soft body
and secretes the shell).
• Aquatic mollusks have gills for gas
exchange; land mollusks have lungs
• A snail is a mollusk with a single hard shell.
– A clam has two shells joined together by a
hinge.
• Squids and octopi are also mollusks.
 Types of Mollusks
• Gastropods – most have one
shell
– Live in water or on land
– Move by gliding their large
muscular foot along a trail
of mucus
 Types of Mollusks

• Bivalves – have two shells

– Large muscles open and
close shell halves
– Aquatic animals that filter
feed
 Types of Mollusks
• Cephalopods – have no
external shell
– Have a foot divided into
tentacles with suckers
– Move by using a mantle to
quickly squeeze water
through a funnel-like
siphon
– Have a closed circulatory
system with blood vessels
 Phylum Annelida

Class Class Class

Oligochaeta Polychaeta Hirudinia

Earthworm Marine worms Leeches

 ANNELIDA – Ringed Worms:
• The largest group of annelids is class
Polychaeta, a group of marine worms.
• They have setae, bristles on their
underside that help with locomotion.
Nephridia are annelid excretory
organs that filter annelid blood.
• Sexually reproducing annelids have
mucus-secreting band called a clitellum.
• Closed circulatory system with “hearts” called
aortic arches.
• Skin or gills for breathing
• The three classes of the phylum
Annelida are:
• Class Polychaeta. Clamworms,
sandworms, tube worms. Many
segments and setae. Pair of
appendages called parapodia used in
locomotion. Most species are marine.
• Calss Oligochaeta. Earthworms. Few
setae; many segments. Most live in soil
or fresh water. See Earthworm.
• Class Hirudinea. Leeches. Flattened
body with suckers at both ends;
usually lack setae. Found in fresh
water, salt water, or in soil.
 Characteristics of Annelida:-
(1) Bilaterally symmetrical and
vermiform.
(2) Body possesses true gut with mouth
and anus.
(3) Has a nervous system with an
anterior nerve ring, ganglia and a
ventral nerve chord.
(4) Has a true closed circulatory system.
(5) Has no true respiratory organs.
(6) Reproduction normally sexual, or
hermaphoditic.
• Hermaphroditic/ cross fertilize
• Mostly marine
• Have bristles to help movement
 Annelida: Ringed Worms

• Earthworms – have more than

100 body rings (segments).
– Use external bristle-like setae
and muscles to move
– Eat organic material in soil
– Exchange carbon dioxide and
oxygen through mucus-
covered skin
Earthworm
 Annelida: Segmented Worms
• Leeches
– Have flat bodies with sucking disks at both ends
– Can store enormous amounts of food for
months
– Secrete heparin,
– Which prevents
– blood from clotting
Think smarter rather than work harder
 Define TODAY:
This is an Opportunity to Do A work better
than Yesterday
Phylum: Arthropoda
Insects, Spiders, Ticks,
Mites, Centipedes,
Millipedes, Crustaceans
 Characteristics of Arthropoda
• Arthropods are a group of
invertebrates with jointed
appendages, such as legs and
antennae, and a hard exoskeleton
that protects the arthropod; also
have bilateral symmetry.

• The largest group of arthropods

are insects. They are the only
invertebrates that can fly.
 Insect Characteristics
• The body of the insect has 3 parts:
the head, thorax, and abdomen.
• The head has one pair of antennae
and two compound eyes.
• Thorax has three pairs of jointed
legs and usually one or two pairs of
wings.
• Reproductive organs are located in
the abdomen.
• Open circulatory system; oxygen
enters through openings on sides
 Arthropods
• Exoskeleton made of chitin,
protects the body.
• Paired jointed appendages.
• Extremely successful group – by
numbers, diversity of habitats and
the keys to success in nature are:
1. High reproductive rate with short
life cycle.
2. A body shape that is easy to modify.
3. Ability to adapt to variety of
environments.
 Medical importance of
Arthropoda
• Arthropods affect the health of
humans by being either direct
agents for disease or agents for
disease transmission (vectors).
• The arthropods of medical
importance are found in Classes
Insecta, Arachnida, and Crustacea.
• Diseases like Malaria, Yellow Fever,
Onchocerciasis, and
Trypanasomiasis are transmitted
 The most important arthropod classes
1. Class Insecta 2. Class Arachnida
3. Class Crustacea 4. Class Chilopoda (centipedes)
5. Class Diplopoda (millipedes).
Comparison Insecta Arachnida Crustacea
Body Head-thorax- Cephalothorax- Cephalothorax-
abdomen abdomen abdomen

Antennae One pair Absent 2 pairs

Legs 3 pairs 4 pairs 4 pairs +

Wings One pair, 2 Absent Absent

pairs or
without
 Basic life cycles
There are two basic patterns:
1. Involving complete metamorphosis
(holometabolous development) at one
stage of the life cycle (between larval and
adult stages). Example: the life cycle of flies:
eggs develop to larva 1 (L1), molts to L2,
molts to L3; the third larva pupates (i.e.
becomes a pupa). When pupation is
complete the adult fly emerges from the
pupal case.
 Life cycle of
housefly
(Complete
metamorphosis
)
 Basic life cycles (Cont.)
2. Gradual metamorphosis (hemimetabolous
development) over several stages. Example: Lice:
eggs develop to first nymphal stage, molts to 2nd
nymphal stage, molts to 3rd nymphal stage, and
then molts to adult. A nymph is an immature
stage that closely resembles the adult but is
smaller and not sexually matured. The nymphs
become progressively larger and similar to the
adults at each stage (gradual metamorphosis).
Life cycle of lice
 Anoplura (sucking lice)
• Small, wingless parasites in both adult and
nymphal stages.
• Head narrow and eyes reduced or absent
• Antennae short
• Piercing/sucking mouthparts, retracted into
head when not feeding
• Feeds solely on blood injecting an
anticoagulant to allow free flow for feeding
• Each leg ends in a strong claw well-developed
for clinging to the host
• Eggs are usually stuck on to the host's hair and
hatch when the temperature is sufficiently high
 Arachnids: Spiders, Scorpions, Ticks,
and Mites
• They have 2 main
body parts: a cephalothorax
and an abdomen
• The thorax has 4 pairs of jointed legs; no
antennae.
• They do have special mouth parts like
fangs.
• They kill more insect pests than any other
animal.
 Myriapods: Centipedes and Millipedes
• Centipedes use their
many legs to run
from enemies (one pair of
jointed legs attached to each segment).
– Predators.
• Millipedes roll up
their bodies when they sense danger approaching
(two pairs of jointed legs attached to each
segment).
– Feed on plants.
 Crustaceans: Shrimp, Barnacles, Crab,
Crayfish, and Lobster

• Almost all crustaceans

are aquatic and have gills.
• All have 2 pairs of
antennae, three types of
chewing appendages,
and five pairs of legs.
Lecture 8
A closed mouth catches no flies.
 Echinodermata:
The wonders of the seas
 Phylum: Echinodermata
• Echinoderms have radial symmetry and
include sea stars (class Asteroidea), brittle
stars (class Ophiuroidea), sea urchins and
sand dollars (class Echinoidea), sea cucumbers
(class Holothuroidea), and sea lilies and
feather stars (class Crinoidea).
• Echinoderms have a water vascular system, a
network of water filled canals that branch into
extensions called tube feet. Water enters the
system through the madreporite
• Unlike other invertebrates, which are
protostomes, echinoderms are
deuterostomes, a group of animals that
develops its anus before its mouth.
 Echinodermata
• Echinoderms are a phylum of marine
animals. The adults are recognizable by
their radial symmetry, and include such
well-known animals as starfish, sea
urchins, sea cucumbers, as well as the sea
lilies.
• Phylum Echinodermata is the phylum
most closely related to phylum Chordata.
• They do not show body segmentation, and
are radially symmetrical when fully
grown for the most part. However,
echinoderms are bilaterally symmetrical
in the larvae stage, meaning that they are
• This phylum is closely related to the chordates
because:
1. the coelom of the animal is made from the
digestive tube, not from cell masses like the
phyla Mollusca, Annelida, and Arthropoda.
Therefore, echinoderms are deuterosomes.
2. they have an endoskeleton, made of 95%
calcium carbonate. There are projecting spikes
out of the endoskeleton, which is held together
by skin tissue.
• Another diagnostic feature is the hard spiny skin.
This is a common feature, but not always
apparent in echinoderms.
Phylum Echinodermata

No circulatory system
No respiratory system
Excretion (N elimination) by
diffusion
Simple nervous system,
no brain
Water-vascular system
Class Asteroidea Starfish
Sea Star Anatomy
Water Vascular System

Tube feet and associated

plumbing

Used for walking,

attaching (clinging) to
substrate and holding food
 Class
Ophiuroidea
 Class
Crinoidae
 Class
Slate pencil urchin
Echinoidea
Collector urchin

Echinometra
mathaei
Echinothrix
calamaris

Colobocentrotus
atratus
 Summary
• Radial symmetry (adult) and bilateral
(larva)
• Endoskeleton
• Spiny skin covering an internal
skeleton of plates
• Water-vascular system to help them
move and eat
• Some can reproduce through
regeneration from parts.
• Among invertebrates, only echinoderms have an endoskeleton. [T/F]. [True]
• What type of symmetry do echinoderms have? Both radial and bilateral
• The name echinodermata is derived from the fact that ………………….[they
have spiny skin]
• The process of replacing the lost parts of the body is called…….[regeneration]
• Starfish belongs to the class………[Asteroidea]
• Starfish belongs to the phylum…….[Echinodermata]
• Sea urchins belong to the class………[Echinoidea]
• sea urchins belong to the phylum…..[Echinodermata]
• What are the functions of the water vascular system in echinoderms ? 1.
walking 2. attaching to substrate 3. holding food
• Both echinoderms and cnidarians have radial symmetry, but echinoderms
are considered more advanced than cnidarians (give one important reason
for that). [the larvae of echinoderms have bilateral symmetry while the
adults have radial symmetry. In cnidarians all stages have radial symmetry]
• Mention three important classes in the phylum Echinodermata. [Asteroidea,
Echinoidea, Crinoidea]
• Among invertbrates, Echinodermata is closely related to the
chordates, mention two reasons for that. [1. they have an
endoskeleton, made of 95% calcium carbonate 2. the coelom of the
animal is made from the digestive tube, not from cell masses.
]
• Sea cucumber s belong to the phylum……………[Echinodermata]
 Questions and Answers
1. What is the common feature between protozoan and parazoan animals? The
absence of tissues.
2. What is the main difference between protozoan and parazoan animals? The
number of cells.
3. According to the presence or absence of tissues, invertebrates are divided into 3
groups which are:
4. According to the number of embryonic layers, metazoan invertebrates can be
divided into two groups:
5. Bilateral symmetry means…………………..
6. Radial symmetry means……………..
7. Hermaphrodite means……………………………………..
8. Mention the 7 levels of classification system.
9. All metazoan animals apart from Cnidaria/Ctenophora are triploblastic. [T/F]
10. Why do we need scientific names for each animal?
We need scientific names for each species because people in different
parts of a country, and in different countries, use different local names
for the same species or similar names for different species.
13. Asymmetrical means…… bodies cannot be divided into matching halves (example:
sponges).
14. Give an example for asymmetrical animal. Sponges.
15. Give an example for an animal with radial symmetry.
16. Give an example for an animal with bilateral symmetry.
17.
 Question and answer
• Why do we need a universal classification system?
• T or F. The genus name must begin with a capital letter.
• T or F. The species name must begin with a capital letter.
• T or F. Cnidarians are diploblastic animals.
• T or F. Cnidarians are triploblastic animals.
• T or F. Cnidarians are aquatic animals.
• Cnidarians belong to the phylum………….
• T or F. sponges belong to the Phylum Porifera.
• T or F. sponges are diploblastic animals.
• T or F. Cnidarians are more advanced than sponges.
• Needocyte means…………………….
• The name Cnidaria is drived from the fact that these animals have…………………..
• Based on which character, the name Cnidaria derived?
• The cnidarians have two basic forms which are:
• In cnidarians, the medosa is a sessile form (T or F).
• In cnidarians, the polyp is a sessile form (T or F).
• In cnidarians, the medosa is a motile form (T or F).
• In cnidarians, the medosa is a free-swimming form (T or F).
• In cnidarians, the medosa has a bell shape (T or F).
• In cnidarians, the medosa is has a shape similar to the umbrella (T or F).
• List the important classes within the Phylum Cnidaria.
• In Hydrozoans, the medosa form is missing (T or F).
• In schyphozoans, the medosa form is missing (T or F).
• In anthozoans, the medosa form is missing (T or F).
• In hydrozoans, the medosa and poly forms are missing (T or F).
• In hydrozoans, the polyp form is missing (T or F).
• In hydrozoans, only the medosa form is present (T or F).
 Common Questions
1. What is the common feature between protozoan and parazoan
animals?
2. Mention the 7 levels of classification system.
3. According to the presence or absence of tissues, invertebrates are
divided into 3 groups which are:
4. All metazoan animals apart from Cnidaria/Ctenophora are
triploblastic. [T/F]
5. All animals except ...................... belong to the Eumetazoa.
6. T or F. sponges are diploblastic animals.

7.
 Night school
1. Give an example for an animal with radial symmetry.
2. Bilateral symmetry means?
3. What is the main difference between protozoan and parazoan
animals?
4. According to the presence or absence of coelom, metazoan
invertebrates can be divided into the following groups:
5. Bilateral symmetry means…………………
6. What is the main difference between parazoans and
eumetazoans?
7. Invertebrates are animals that do not have ………...
8. Which one is more advanced, parazoans or sponges,
and why?
9. T or F. The species name must begin with a capital
letter.
10. T or F. Cnidarians are triploblastic animals.
11. Sponges belong to the Phylum……………..
12. Choanocyte means……………
 Day-time school
1. Give an example for asymmetrical animal.
2. What radial symmetry means?
3. What is the common feature between protozoan and parazoan
animals?
4. According to the number of embryonic layers, metazoan
invertebrates can be divided into two groups:
5. Asymmetrical means…………………….
6. Hermaphrodite means……………………..
7. What is the main difference between protozoans and eumetazoans?
8. 95-99% of the animal kingdom is made up of………….
9. Which one is more advanced, cnidarians or sponges, and why?
10. T or F. The genus name must begin with a capital letter.
11. T or F. Cnidarians are diploblastic animals.
12. Cnidarians belong to the phylum………….
13. Cnidocyst means…………………….
14. T or F? Flatworms are diploblastic animals.
15. Flatworms are named so because……………………
16. Flatworms belong to the Phylum…………………
17. List the classes which belong to the Phylum Platyhelminthes.
18. T or F? Flatworms have bilateral symmetry.
19. Give two characters which show the cephalization of the
flatworms.
20. T or F? All members of the Phylum Platyhelminthes are
parasitic.
 Q&A
• This phyla's name means "spiny skin.“
[Echinodermata]
• Echinoderms have this type of symmetry. Radial
• Echinoderms move with this special system of
water filled tubes that can create and release
suction. [water vascular system]
• Sea cucumbers are members of this phylum.
[Echinodermata]
• T or F? Sea stars can reproduce asexually through
budding? [False]
• Echinoderms can reproduce asexually with what
type of fertilization? [external]
Do not beat in the bush, be to the
point
 Phylum Arthropoda

Insects, crabs, and spiders

Most species; 80% are insects
Hard chitin exoskeleton (must shed to
grow)
Circulatory system with blood, heart

10,000,000? species