Animals


The study of animals is called zoology. This is not a strictly biological classification. Many groups that are technically included within another have been elevated in importance. Some small but biologically important groups have been omitted.	Sapience Home Site Map About Sapience Science Biology Systematics Tetrapods Fishes Deuterostomes Protostomes Jellyfish Sponges

The study of animals is called zoology. This is not a strictly biological classification. Many groups that are technically included within another have been elevated in importance. Some small but biologically important groups have been omitted.

Tetrapods
Fishes
Deuterostomes
Protostomes
Jellyfish
Sponges

Tetrapods

These (four footed) are further divided into modern groupings roughly equivalent to the mammalians, reptiles and birds (formerly considered separate groupings), turtles (formerly grouped with the reptiles), and amphibians.

Fishes

This includes various subgroupings such as the jawless fishes, sharks, and bony fishes. These and the tetrapods are the vertebrates.

Deuterostomes

This also includes the higher groupings, but includes echinoderms (starfish and kin), and chordates (especially including some marine "worms". These are called deuterostomes (mouth second) because in the embryonic development of these groups, the anus develops first, then the mouth.

Protostomes

This and "higher" groups are grouped together in what is called the Bilateria, because their bodies have two symmetrical sides. These are called protostomes (mouth first) because in the developing embryo, the mouth opening develops first. This diverse group includs numerous miscellaneous small worms, rotifers, annelids, molluscs, nematodes, and arthropods.

Jellyfish

These include the Ctenophores, Placozoa, and Cnidaria. Most of these are marine and many look more like plants than animals. They also includes the corals.

Sponges

Also called porifera. These are also marine Recent evidence suggests that these are the oldest and possibly original forms of animals.


The history of zoology, or the study of animals, can possibly be followed from prehistory, through antiquity, classical and medieval times. Modern history including the 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, and 20th century can be connected. Its future can also be considered.
Personal studies including the human body, psychology, and biography have some connections with animals. The connections with anthropology, culture, institutions, and sociology will be discussed in more detail as the site develops. The study of animals depends heavily on Biohistory and ecology as well. Other areas of systematics are also significant. Fungi is the major group most closely related to the animals, are all significant. Plants are also significant. Protists are thought to be ancestral to the other major groups, and microbes are thought to be ancestral to all modern forms. Animal behavior is particularly significant. Zoology depends heavily on organism biology, cytology, and molecular biology. Earth science including geohistory, physical geography, atmoshpheric science, hydrospheric science, and geology is more intimately connected. Other sciences of astronomy, chemistry, and physics are indirectly connected to study of the animals.

The history of zoology, or the study of animals, can possibly be followed from prehistory, through antiquity, classical and medieval times. Modern history including the 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, and 20th century can be connected. Its future can also be considered.

Personal studies including the human body, psychology, and biography have some connections with animals. The connections with anthropology, culture, institutions, and sociology will be discussed in more detail as the site develops.

The study of animals depends heavily on Biohistory and ecology as well.

Other areas of systematics are also significant. Fungi is the major group most closely related to the animals, are all significant. Plants are also significant. Protists are thought to be ancestral to the other major groups, and microbes are thought to be ancestral to all modern forms.

Animal behavior is particularly significant. Zoology depends heavily on organism biology, cytology, and molecular biology.

Earth science including geohistory, physical geography, atmoshpheric science, hydrospheric science, and geology is more intimately connected. Other sciences of astronomy, chemistry, and physics are indirectly connected to study of the animals.