Kingdom Animalia is divided into two groups, Invertebrates and Chordates. This chapter studies the structural morphology and anatomy of an Invertebrate, the Leech, and a Vertebrate, the Rabbit. The Indian cattle leech, Hirudinaria granulosa, belongs to Phylum Annelida; annelids are metamerically segmented worms with well developed organ systems. The common rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, represents Phylum Chordata and Class Mammalia. Mammals occupy the highest group in the animal kingdom; they are warm blooded and have a covering of hair. The mammary gland in females is the most striking feature of a mammal.
1. Taxonomic Position
| Rank | Indian Cattle Leech | Rabbit |
|---|---|---|
| Phylum | Annelida | Chordata (Sub-phylum Vertebrata) |
| Class | Hirudinea | Mammalia |
| Order | Gnathobdellida | Lagomorpha |
| Genus | Hirudinaria | Oryctolagus |
| Species | granulosa | cuniculus |