Animals are considered as the most abundant living species existing on our planet Earth. According to the available data, there are about 1 to 2 million animal species, among which, 90 to 95% are invertebrates and only 5% of all animal species are vertebrates.
There are different types of animal species available in Animal kingdom or kingdom Animalia, which are further classified based on their mode of reproduction, habitat, nutrition and presence of certain special cellular organelles.
Here, in this topic let us know classification of animals based on the modes of nutrition and reproduction.
Classification of Animals based on Reproduction
All living species existing on this planet reproduce for the continuation of their species.While some reproduce once or twice in their lifespan, others die after reproducing their young ones.
Reproduction is the process of producing individuals of the same kind. Basically there are two types of reproduction:
Asexual Reproduction – Reproduction in which only a single organism gives rise to a new individual. Asexual reproduction is further divided into – Binary Fission, Budding, Fragmentation and Sporogenesis.
Sexual Reproduction – Reproduction, which involves the production of an offspring by the fusion of both the male and female gametes. Sexual reproduction is further divided into Oviparous and Viviparous Animals. The animals which reproduce by laying eggs are called Oviparous animals. All birds, fish, amphibians, insects, birds, reptiles are examples of Oviparous Animals. Animals which give birth to their young ones are called Viviparous animals. All mammals, including humans, cats, fox, tiger, elephants, cattles are examples of Viviparous animals.
Classification of Animals based on Nutrition
In all living species, including humans, plants, animals, birds, insects, we all require energy to perform metabolic activities. This energy is supplied from the food we consume. Different living species have different modes of nutrition. All green plants are autotrophs, as they prepare their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Other species including animals, birds, humans, etc. depend on plants for their food. Therefore, they are called heterotrophs. Depending upon their food habits, animals are classified into:
Herbivores: Herbivores are animals that depend upon plants and their products for their nutrition. Cattles, deer, elephant, etc. are herbivores.
Carnivores: Carnivores are animals that depend upon other animals for food. Lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards, dogs are some of the carnivores.
Omnivores: These include organisms that eat both plants and animals. Humans, bears, chipmunks, wolves and crows are all examples of omnivores.
Parasites: These are a varied group of organisms, which survive by living within the host cells. Tapeworms present within the intestines of animals are examples of Parasites. They live by absorbing the host’s nutrients and causing harm to them.
Scavengers: These organisms feed on dead and decaying biomass and play an important role in our ecosystem by keeping the environment clean by consuming dead animal and plant material. Vulture, racoon, crow, fox are examples of scavengers.
Apart from these animals and birds, even microbes are classified into different groups. Bacteria are classified into Autotrophic and Heterotrophic based on the mode of nutrition. Saprophytic, Parasitic Symbiotic, are the classification of fungi on the basis of nutrition.
Thus, we have learned about how animals are classified into different groups based on their different modes of nutrition and reproduction. For more information related to animals’ adaptation and their habitats, check out this YouTube channel-
