Understanding Animal Phyla Matching

This question asks us to match specific animals from Column A to the correct phylum they belong to in Column B. Understanding the basic characteristics of different animal phyla is essential for answering this type of question.

Let's look at the given columns:

We need to determine the correct phylum for each animal listed.

Matching Animals to Their Phyla

Let's analyze each animal:

• i. Jelly fish: Jellyfish are marine invertebrates known for their jelly-like bodies. They belong to the phylum Coelenterata, also known as Cnidaria. This group includes sea anemones and corals and is characterized by radial symmetry and a sac-like digestive cavity (coelenteron). Therefore, Jelly fish matches with d. Coelenterate.
• ii. Cray fish: Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans. Crustaceans, insects, arachnids, and myriapods all belong to the large phylum Arthropoda. Arthropods are characterized by jointed appendages, segmented bodies, and an exoskeleton. Therefore, Cray fish matches with c. Arthropoda.
• iii. Whale fish: The term "Whale fish" is commonly used, but biologically, whales are not fish. Whales are marine mammals. They belong to the phylum Chordata, and specifically to the class Mammalia. Mammals are characterized by features like mammary glands, fur or hair, and being warm-blooded. Therefore, Whale fish matches with b. Mammal.
• iv. Devil fish: "Devil fish" can refer to several animals, but in the context of the given options, it most commonly refers to large octopuses or sometimes manta rays. Octopuses and squids are marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Mollusca. Molluscs are characterized by a soft body, often enclosed within a shell, though this can be reduced or absent (as in octopuses). They have a mantle and a muscular foot. Assuming 'Devil fish' refers to an octopus here, it matches with a. Mollusc.

Based on this analysis, the correct matches are:

• i – d (Jelly fish - Coelenterate)
• ii – c (Cray fish - Arthropoda)
• iii – b (Whale fish - Mammal)
• iv – a (Devil fish - Mollusc)

Let's check which option corresponds to these matches.

The combination i - d, ii - c, iii - b, iv - a is the correct matching.

Revision Table: Animal Phyla Matching

Additional Information: Key Animal Phyla

Let's briefly look at the characteristics of the phyla mentioned in this question.

• Coelenterata (Cnidaria): These are simple aquatic invertebrates. They have radial symmetry. Their body structure includes a single opening that serves as both mouth and anus, leading to a central cavity called the coelenteron or gastrovascular cavity. Examples include jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals.
• Arthropoda: This is the largest phylum in the animal kingdom. Arthropods are characterized by a segmented body, jointed appendages, and a hard exoskeleton made of chitin. They undergo molting to grow. Examples include insects, spiders, crustaceans (like crayfish and crabs), and centipedes.
• Mammal (Class Mammalia): Mammals are vertebrates (belonging to the phylum Chordata) characterized by the presence of mammary glands (for milk production), hair or fur, being warm-blooded (endothermic), and typically giving birth to live young (viviparous), although some lay eggs. Examples include humans, whales, dogs, and bats.
• Mollusc (Mollusca): Molluscs are a diverse phylum of invertebrates. They typically have a soft body, often protected by a shell (though this can be internal or absent in some). They possess a mantle, which secretes the shell, and usually a muscular foot used for locomotion or attachment. Examples include snails, slugs, clams, oysters, squids, and octopuses.

Understanding these key features helps in correctly classifying animals into their respective phyla.