animal morphology (geozoo topics)

7/28/2019 Animal Morphology (GeoZoo Topics)

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www.geozoo.org/Topics/Animal_Morphology 1/5

Form

> Symmetry

> Shape vs Structure

> Size

Anatomy

Appearance

> Color

> Hair, Feathers &

Scales

> Ornaments

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2. Classification3. Animal Homes

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Plants | Conifers

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One of the first questions people ask about animals,

even if just mentally, is what they look like. In other

words, they focus on appearance. But more detailed

scientific descriptions of animals go a litle further,

exploring their internal structure as well, a discipline called

anatomy.

The term morphologymeans form. Its roughly synonymous

with anatomy, but its a little less clinical, nicely embracing

both anatomy and external appearance.

Before we continue, lets note the vast differences between

two broad groups of animals - vertebrates and invertebrates.

Comparing an invertebrate like an earthworm or giant squid to

a songbird or giant panda is not like comparing apples and

oranges. Their form and internal anatomy is vastly different,and no invertebrate has feathers.

The two groups are so different, many portions of this article

are divided into separate sections for each group of animals.

GeoZoo

Introductory Series

Animal Morphology

> Topics > Morphology 101 > Animal Morphology

Animals

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Form

Before you continue, you might want to learn about

symmetry, which might be thought of as the foundation of

animal morphology. However, that article focuses largely on

invertebrates, while this article focuses a little more on

vertebrates. So lets begin with a brief overview of symmetry...

Its normal to think of animals having heads, rumps, backs,

bellies and left and right sides. But many invertebrates have

none of these.

Sponges are off the map; they arent even symmetrical. But

many marine invertebrates (and some others) display some

type of radial symmetry. In other words, theyre round, similar

to a pizza. Theres only one way to cut a human or a lizard in

half, but you can cut a pizze in half many different ways, and

no one will know the difference.

An anemone, with its tentacles arranged around its mouth

like some animated flower, is an example of radial symmetry.

It might be said to have a top and bottom, but it doesnt have

a head or posterior. Nor does it have a left or right side.

More advanced invertebrates - and all vertebrates - are

endowed with bilateral (two-sided) symmetry. They have left

and right sides. Most also have an anterior end (where the

head is located) and a posterior end, where the anus is

normally located. They also have a dorsal surface (the back)and ventral surface (commonly referred to as the abdomen or

belly).

* * * * *

Most of us dont even think about symmetry, since virtually

every animal we see (including our reflection in the mirror) is

bilaterally symmetrical. So what do we focus on when

describing animals?

The major elements of appeaerance include shape, size,

body segments, appendages, outer covering, color and

ornaments. Below are some notes on each.

Symmetry

x

Shape vs Structure

Animals come in all shapes and sizes. They can be long andskinny (e.g. snakes, eels and worms) or fat or stocky, like

owls, bears or porcupines.

Size


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x

Anatomy

x

Vertebrates Huh?

X

Invertebrates Huh?

X

Body Segments

x

Appendages

Appendages might be loosely defined as any conspicuous

organs attached to an animals head or body. Vertebrate

appendages consist of limbs (legs, flippers or wings) and tails.

Invertebrate appendages include legs, tentacles, cilia and

antennae.

Many mammals, reptiles and amphibians have four legs, but

no vertebrate has more. Most marine mammals have a singlepair of flippers and a paddle- or fish-like tail used for

propulsion. Some reptiles and amphibians are l imbless. All

birds have two wings and two legs. (elephant birds?)

x

Outer Covering

Most mammals are covered with hair, all birds with feathers

and most fishes with scales. Animals with bare skin include

humans, cetaceans, sirenians, nake mole rats, some

reptiles(?), amphibians and some fishes (examples).

Some animals are covered with hard shells. Terrestrial

vertebrates with shells include armadillos and turtles.

Pangolins are covered with heavy scales that form a protective

armor.

Many molluscs are protected by shells, notably most

gastropods (snails) and bivalves (clams, oysters, etc.). Ditto

for brachiopods.

Many arthropods, particularly insects and crustaceans, have

hard exoskeletons that are heavily armored in some species.

In fact, molluscs and crustaceans are collectively called


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shellfish.

Some animals are covered with quills (porcupines) or spines

(e.g. hedgehogs, horned lizards, pufferfish).

Appearance

x

Color

x

Vertebrates Huh?

X

Invertebrates Huh?

Hair, Feathers & Scales

x

Ornaments

Animal ornaments might be loosely defined as organs,

protrusions or tufts of hair or feathers that are used in

communication or as secondary sex organs.

Many mammals and birds have conspicuous tufts of hair or

feathers or long, spectacular tails. Examples include the male

lions mane, zebra manes, BIRD, and the long spectacular

tails of peacocks and quetzals.

We can also include horns and antlers, which function in

display as well as defense. Many hoofed mammals carry a

fantastic diversity of horns and antlers, including rhinoceroses,cattle, bison, buffalo, antelope, sheep, goats and deer.

Fish ornaments...

* * * * *

Topic Tree: Morphology

1. Morphology 101

2. Animal Morphology Plant Morphology

3. Vertebrate Morphology | Invertebrates

Series:101 (12 articles)
http://www.geozoo.org/Topics/http://www.geozoo.org/Topics/Invertebrateshttp://www.geozoo.org/Topics/Vertebrate_Morphologyhttp://www.geozoo.org/Topics/Plant_Morphologyhttp://www.geozoo.org/Topics/Morphology


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