Animal Kingdom Concept Map - An Overview

Animal Kingdom Concept Map - An Overview

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 05:27 PM IST

Animal Kingdom is a vast and varied collection of animals. One may better understand the connections between various animal species and how animals are connected by creating a mind map/concept map of the animal kingdom. A map showing the relationships between various animals can be made since this complex classification of the animal kingdom is challenging to remember.

This Story also Contains
  1. What Is the Concept Map of the Animal Kingdom?
  2. Concept Map of the Animal Kingdom and Its Benefits
  3. Animal Kingdom Classification
  4. Animal Kingdom Taxonomy
Animal Kingdom Concept Map - An Overview
Animal Kingdom Concept Map - An Overview

The concept map of the animal kingdom makes the entire remembering process easy, as all the common factors are mentioned more easily in the map. This becomes an important tool for remembering important points of the animal kingdom chapter, class 11th biology. This chapter also has good weightage in the different examinations of pharmacy, paramedical, and NEET.

What Is the Concept Map of the Animal Kingdom?

A flowchart that graphically arranges the taxonomy, or the animal kingdom classification basis, systematically, is known as an animal kingdom concept map. With smaller nodes spreading out to symbolise each significant taxonomic group within the Kingdom, it often starts with a huge center node that represents the animal kingdom itself.

This concept map relates to a wide variety of organisms and makes it easy to remember various animals with similar and dissimilar characteristics/features/traits. It serves as a powerful learning tool to understand and remember the structure and traits of various species within the Animal Kingdom.

Also Read

NEET Highest Scoring Chapters & Topics
Know Most Scoring Concepts in NEET 2024 Based on Previous Year Analysis.
Know More

Concept Map of the Animal Kingdom and Its Benefits

Concept maps created using the data on animal taxa now accessible are dynamic tools for zoology learning and comprehension. Below is a list of the benefits.

Concepts

Explanation

Species classification

  • The concept map of the animal kingdom helps to locate the species quickly by categorizing them into the Animal Kingdom based on their specific traits.

R.H. Whittaker Map

  • There is a generic division of multicellular animals that makes the entire identification task easy for ecologists, students, and researchers.

Organisational levels

  • It shows how animals are structured from the cellular level up to the organ system level.

Body symmetry

  • Classify the animal into symmetrical, radially symmetrical, and bilaterally symmetrical based on the body alignment.

Germinal layers

  • It shows embryonic layers which define different kinds of diploblastic animals that have two layers that are endoderm and ectoderm.

  • Apart from this, they also have triploblastic layers that are endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm.

Coelom

  • This part of the animal kingdom differentiates the animals based on their presence of body cavities.

  • Three basic types are Coelomates( True Cavity), Pseudocoelomates (False Cavity), and Acoelomates ( No Cavity)

Respiratory system

  • It highlights different respiratory structures such as lungs, gills, or airways used by animals for gas exchange.

  • Different animal structures include lungs, Airways, and blood vessels in humans.

Excretory system

  • It describes how animals eliminate waste products through processes like ammonotelism, uricotelism, or guanotelism.

Animal Kingdom Classification

The 11 phyla of the animal kingdom are the major divisions that classify animals on the basis of body structure, complexity, and history of evolution.

Phylum

Description

Porifera

Porous bodies, multicellular animals designated as sponges, which have no proper tissues or organs.

Cnidaria

Aquatic animals exhibiting radial symmetry and possessing specialized stinging cells, the cnidocytes.

Ctenophora

Exclusively marine ciliated comb plates that help in movement and show bioluminescence, meaning they can produce light.

Platyhelminthes

These are the flatworms, which include planarians and tapeworms. The body is dorso-ventrally flat and bilaterally symmetrical with no true coelom.

Aschelminthes

Roundworms with elongated, cylindrical bodies, which vary in habitats and are more often free-living or parasitic.

Annelida

Segmented worms found in earthworms and leeches, annotated for having bodies segmented by a true coelom.

Arthropoda

The largest phylum, including insects, arachnids, and crustaceans are distinguished through having exoskeleton, jointed appendages, and segmented bodies.

Mollusca

A phylum of animals including snails, clams, and octopuses with a soft body often covered with a shell of hard chitinous material and a muscular foot.

Echinodermata

Marine animals such as sea stars and sea urchins are examples of animals that have radial symmetry and an odd water vascular system.

Hemichordata

Marine worms with a stomochord and pharyngeal gill slits; they are the closest relatives to chordates.

Chordata

It includes animals that at some stage of their development have a notochord; an example is vertebrates, including mammals, birds, and fish. Other closely related invertebrates belong to the same class.

Animal Kingdom Taxonomy

Taxonomy in the Animal Kingdom classifies animals on a similar hierarchical basis as follows: phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Taxonomy in the animal kingdom categorizes organisms into major phyla, such as Chordata, all vertebrates, and Arthropoda, all invertebrates, truly indicating their evolutionary relationship.

The advances in genetic studies have provided new mileage for Animal kingdom taxonomy. The classifiers can now make more accurate classifications based on the degrees of similarities and dissimilarities among genes as compared to morphological features. An Example of Taxonomy in the Animal Kingdom:

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Canidae

Genus

Canis

Species

lupus

Other useful resources:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the applications of concept maps?

The applications of concept maps are:

  • Designing a curriculum

  • Can be used for revision

  • Used during exams to remember topics

  • Writing down the data.

2. Is concept mapping an effective teaching strategy?

By creating a visual representation of connections between ideas, the concept mapping approach aids students in understanding the relationships between them. It enables people to incorporate future facts or viewpoints and connect novel concepts to what they currently know.

3. List a few benefits of concept maps of the animal kingdom?

The following are some advantages of concept mapping in the animal kingdom:

  • They can help in enhancing comprehension of difficult topics.

  • They may help in enhancing memory for information.

  • They might help in enhancing problem-solving abilities.

  • They may contribute to better information transmission.

4. What are the different types of circulatory systems seen in animals?

The different types of circulatory systems seen in animals are the open circulatory system and closed circulatory system.

5. What is Concept Map of the Animal Kingdom?

A flowchart that graphically arranges the taxonomy or the animal kingdom classification, systematically is known as an animal kingdom concept map.

6. What is the main purpose of an Animal Kingdom concept map?
An Animal Kingdom concept map visually organizes and connects key ideas about animal classification, characteristics, and diversity. It helps students understand relationships between different animal groups and their distinguishing features, providing a big-picture view of the animal kingdom's structure.
7. How does a concept map differ from a traditional classification tree for animals?
While a classification tree shows a hierarchical structure of animal groups, a concept map allows for more flexible connections between ideas. It can include additional information about animal characteristics, habitats, and evolutionary relationships, making it a more comprehensive tool for understanding the animal kingdom.
8. What role does the presence or absence of a body cavity play in animal classification?
The presence and type of body cavity (coelom) is a crucial feature in animal classification. In an Animal Kingdom concept map, you'll often see branches for acoelomates (no body cavity), pseudocoelomates (false body cavity), and coelomates (true body cavity). This characteristic reflects evolutionary advancements in body organization.
9. Why are some animals considered more "primitive" than others in a concept map?
The term "primitive" in biology refers to organisms that have retained ancestral characteristics and haven't undergone significant evolutionary changes. In an Animal Kingdom concept map, more "primitive" animals are those with simpler body plans or less specialized features, often appearing closer to the base of the map.
10. How does body symmetry factor into an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Body symmetry is a key characteristic used to classify animals. In a concept map, you'll typically see branches for asymmetrical animals (like sponges), radially symmetrical animals (like jellyfish), and bilaterally symmetrical animals (like most other animals). This helps visualize how body plan complexity relates to animal diversity.
11. Why are mollusks often given a large, diverse branch in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Mollusks are typically given a large, diverse branch in concept maps due to their incredible variety. This branch would show the major classes like gastropods (snails, slugs), bivalves (clams, oysters), and cephalopods (octopuses, squids), illustrating the wide range of body plans and adaptations within this phylum.
12. Why are cnidarians often placed near the base of an Animal Kingdom concept map, despite having tissues?
Cnidarians are often placed near the base of an Animal Kingdom concept map because, while they do have tissues, they lack true organs and maintain a simple body plan with only two cell layers. This position reflects their early evolutionary divergence and relatively simple organization compared to most other animals.
13. How might endothermy vs. ectothermy be represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Endothermy (warm-blooded) and ectothermy (cold-blooded) are typically shown as characteristics associated with specific animal groups. Birds and mammals would be linked to endothermy, while reptiles, amphibians, and fish would be associated with ectothermy. This helps visualize the distribution of these traits across different animal groups.
14. How are vertebrates and invertebrates typically represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Vertebrates and invertebrates are usually shown as two major branches in an Animal Kingdom concept map. Invertebrates, being more diverse, often have multiple sub-branches representing different phyla, while vertebrates are typically shown as a single branch with classes as sub-branches.
15. How does an Animal Kingdom concept map typically represent the evolution of body segmentation?
Body segmentation is usually shown as a progressive feature in an Animal Kingdom concept map. Non-segmented animals like cnidarians appear earlier, while segmented animals like annelids and arthropods are placed further along the map, illustrating the evolutionary development of this trait.
16. What does the position of mammals on an Animal Kingdom concept map typically indicate?
Mammals are usually positioned at one of the outermost branches of an Animal Kingdom concept map. This placement reflects their status as one of the most recently evolved and complex animal groups, with highly specialized features like mammary glands and advanced brain development.
17. How does an Animal Kingdom concept map typically show the relationship between chordates and vertebrates?
In an Animal Kingdom concept map, chordates are usually shown as a larger group that includes vertebrates. The map would typically show vertebrates as a subgroup of chordates, along with other subgroups like tunicates and lancelets, illustrating that all vertebrates are chordates, but not all chordates are vertebrates.
18. What role do evolutionary relationships play in the structure of an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Evolutionary relationships form the backbone of an Animal Kingdom concept map. The map's structure typically reflects the evolutionary history of animals, with more ancestral groups placed closer to the center or base, and more recently evolved groups towards the periphery. This helps visualize how different animal groups are related and have diverged over time.
19. How might the concept of convergent evolution be represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar traits, can be shown in an Animal Kingdom concept map through cross-links between different branches. For example, flight ability might link birds, bats, and insects, despite their distant relationships, illustrating how similar adaptations can evolve independently.
20. How might the concept of a "living fossil" be incorporated into an Animal Kingdom concept map?
"Living fossils" like horseshoe crabs or coelacanths can be highlighted in an Animal Kingdom concept map by showing their position within their respective groups, but also indicating their ancient lineage. This might be done through special notations or by showing their long, unchanged branch extending far back in the evolutionary timeline.
21. How might the concept of adaptive radiation be represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Adaptive radiation can be shown in an Animal Kingdom concept map as a rapid branching from a single point, often accompanied by illustrations of diverse adaptations. For example, the radiation of Darwin's finches could be represented as multiple branches quickly diverging from a common ancestor, each with different beak shapes.
22. How might the concept of parasitism be incorporated into an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Parasitism can be incorporated into an Animal Kingdom concept map by highlighting parasitic groups within their respective phyla. For example, tapeworms could be noted within flatworms, and ticks within arthropods. Cross-links might also show how parasitism has evolved independently in different animal groups.
23. How might the concept of metamorphosis be represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Metamorphosis can be represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map by showing connections between larval and adult forms, particularly in groups like insects and amphibians. This might be illustrated as a cyclical process within these groups, highlighting the dramatic changes some animals undergo during development.
24. How might the concept of homology be represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Homology can be represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map by showing connections between similar structures in different animal groups. For example, the map might highlight how the forelimbs of bats, whales, and humans are all modifications of the same basic structure, illustrating their common evolutionary origin.
25. How might the concept of analogous structures be incorporated into an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Analogous structures can be incorporated into an Animal Kingdom concept map by showing similar adaptations in distantly related groups. For example, the map might highlight the similarities between fish fins and whale flippers, or between bird wings and bat wings, while also clearly showing these groups on separate evolutionary branches.
26. What role do ecological niches play in organizing an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Ecological niches can be incorporated into an Animal Kingdom concept map to show how different animal groups have adapted to various environments and roles. This might be represented through sub-branches or annotations showing adaptations for different habitats (aquatic, terrestrial, aerial) or feeding strategies (herbivore, carnivore, omnivore), illustrating the diversity of animal lifestyles.
27. How might the concept of sexual dimorphism be represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Sexual dimorphism can be represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map by highlighting examples in various animal groups. This might be shown as annotations or sub-branches indicating significant differences between males and females in certain species, such as in birds of paradise or anglerfish, illustrating the diversity of reproductive strategies across the animal kingdom.
28. How might the concept of biomimicry be incorporated into an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Biomimicry can be incorporated into an Animal Kingdom concept map by highlighting animal adaptations that have inspired human innovations. This might be shown as special notes or links connecting animal features to human technologies, such as shark
29. Why might cnidarians and ctenophores be placed close together on a concept map?
Cnidarians (e.g., jellyfish) and ctenophores (comb jellies) are often placed near each other on concept maps because they share similar characteristics. Both are aquatic, have radial symmetry, and possess simple tissue organization. However, they are separate phyla with distinct features, which would also be noted on the map.
30. Why are protostomes and deuterostomes important divisions in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Protostomes and deuterostomes represent two major evolutionary lineages of animals based on embryonic development. In a concept map, this division helps organize many phyla into two broad categories, illustrating a fundamental split in animal evolution and development patterns.
31. Why are sponges often placed at the base of an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Sponges are typically placed at the base of an Animal Kingdom concept map because they are considered the most primitive animals. They lack true tissues and organs, have asymmetrical body plans, and possess characteristics that are thought to be similar to the earliest animal ancestors.
32. How does an Animal Kingdom concept map typically represent the diversity within arthropods?
Arthropods, being the most diverse animal phylum, are often given a large, detailed section in an Animal Kingdom concept map. This section typically branches out to show major groups like insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and myriapods, along with key characteristics like exoskeletons and jointed appendages.
33. What does the placement of echinoderms in an Animal Kingdom concept map often reveal about their evolutionary history?
Echinoderms (like starfish and sea urchins) are often placed near chordates in an Animal Kingdom concept map. This placement reflects the surprising evolutionary relationship between these seemingly different groups, as both are deuterostomes and share a common ancestor more recent than many other animal groups.
34. How does an Animal Kingdom concept map typically represent the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life?
The transition from aquatic to terrestrial life is often shown in an Animal Kingdom concept map as a major evolutionary step. It's typically represented in the progression from fish to amphibians to reptiles, with branching points showing the development of key adaptations like lungs, limbs, and amniotic eggs.
35. What role do extinct animal groups play in a comprehensive Animal Kingdom concept map?
Extinct animal groups are crucial in a comprehensive Animal Kingdom concept map as they help illustrate the full scope of animal diversity through time. They might be shown as branches that terminate before reaching the present, helping to visualize past diversity and evolutionary dead-ends.
36. Why are fungi typically not included in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Fungi are not included in an Animal Kingdom concept map because they belong to a separate kingdom. Despite some similarities with animals (like being heterotrophs), fungi have unique characteristics such as cell walls containing chitin and a different evolutionary history, placing them in their own kingdom.
37. How does an Animal Kingdom concept map typically represent the differences between jawless and jawed vertebrates?
In an Animal Kingdom concept map, jawless vertebrates (like lampreys and hagfish) are usually shown branching off earlier from the vertebrate lineage, while jawed vertebrates form a later, more diverse branch. This illustrates the evolutionary significance of jaws as a key adaptation in vertebrate evolution.
38. What role do body plans play in organizing an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Body plans are crucial in organizing an Animal Kingdom concept map. They often form major branches or sections, showing how basic body structures (like bilateral symmetry, segmentation, or the presence of a notochord) relate to the diversity and evolution of different animal groups.
39. How does an Animal Kingdom concept map typically represent the diversity of marine invertebrates?
Marine invertebrates' diversity is often represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map through multiple branches showing various phyla like cnidarians, mollusks, arthropods (crustaceans), echinoderms, and others. These branches highlight the wide range of body plans and adaptations found in marine environments.
40. What role do larval stages play in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Larval stages are often included in Animal Kingdom concept maps to illustrate life cycles and developmental processes. They might be shown as connections between seemingly different adult forms (like in echinoderms or some arthropods) or to highlight the evolutionary significance of larval stages in different groups.
41. Why are annelids and arthropods often shown as related groups in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Annelids and arthropods are often shown as related groups in Animal Kingdom concept maps because they share the characteristic of segmentation. While they have distinct differences (like exoskeletons in arthropods), their segmented body plans suggest a common evolutionary origin, which is reflected in their proximity on the map.
42. How does an Animal Kingdom concept map typically represent the diversity within reptiles?
The diversity within reptiles is typically represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map by showing major groups like snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodilians as separate branches. The map might also indicate the evolutionary relationship between reptiles and birds, often showing birds as a specialized branch of reptiles.
43. What role do unique adaptations play in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Unique adaptations are often highlighted in Animal Kingdom concept maps to show the diversity and specialization within animal groups. For example, echolocation in bats, venom in snakes, or bioluminescence in deep-sea fish might be noted as special features on their respective branches, illustrating evolutionary innovations.
44. Why are placental mammals, marsupials, and monotremes typically shown as separate branches in mammal classification?
Placental mammals, marsupials, and monotremes are shown as separate branches in mammal classification to illustrate their distinct evolutionary paths and reproductive strategies. This branching in an Animal Kingdom concept map helps visualize the diversity within mammals and the different adaptations for nurturing offspring.
45. How does an Animal Kingdom concept map typically represent the relationship between insects and other arthropods?
In an Animal Kingdom concept map, insects are typically shown as a major branch within the larger arthropod group. The map would illustrate that insects are a class of arthropods, alongside other classes like arachnids, crustaceans, and myriapods, highlighting their shared characteristics like exoskeletons and jointed legs.
46. What role do evolutionary "breakthroughs" play in structuring an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Evolutionary "breakthroughs" or key innovations are often used as major branching points in an Animal Kingdom concept map. For example, the development of a true coelom, the evolution of jaws, or the adaptation to land life might be shown as significant points from which new, diverse branches emerge, illustrating how these innovations led to increased biodiversity.
47. Why are cephalochordates (lancelets) and urochordates (tunicates) important in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Cephalochordates and urochordates are important in an Animal Kingdom concept map because they help illustrate the evolutionary path to vertebrates. These groups are typically shown branching off before vertebrates, highlighting their status as simpler chordates and helping to visualize the gradual development of vertebrate characteristics.
48. How does an Animal Kingdom concept map typically represent the diversity of aquatic mammals?
Aquatic mammals are usually represented in an Animal Kingdom concept map as specialized branches within the mammal group. The map might show how different mammal lineages independently adapted to aquatic life, such as cetaceans (whales and dolphins), pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), and sirenians (manatees and dugongs), illustrating convergent evolution towards aquatic lifestyles.
49. Why are colonial organisms like coral polyps important to include in an Animal Kingdom concept map?
Colonial organisms like coral polyps are important to include in an Animal Kingdom concept map because they represent a unique form of animal organization. They would typically be shown within the cnidarian branch, illustrating how individual animals can form complex, interconnected structures and highlighting the diversity of life strategies within the animal kingdom.
50. How does an Animal Kingdom concept map typically represent the relationship between prokaryotes and animals?
An Animal Kingdom concept map typically doesn't include prokaryotes directly, as they belong to different kingdoms (Bacteria and Archaea). However, the map might include a note or a separate section showing how animals evolved from eukaryotic ancestors, distinguishing them from prokaryotes and highlighting the fundamental differences between these groups of organisms.
51. What role do animal behaviors play in a comprehensive Animal Kingdom concept map?
Animal behaviors can be incorporated into a comprehensive Animal Kingdom concept map as annotations or sub-branches within different animal groups. This might include examples of complex social behaviors in insects, tool use in primates, or migration patterns in birds, illustrating how behavior is an important aspect of animal diversity and adaptation.

Articles

Back to top