Phylum-by-phylum diagnostic features from Porifera to Chordata, with examples.
| Phylum | Diagnostic feature | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Porifera | Pores, spicules | Sponge |
| Cnidaria | Nematocysts (stinging cells) | Hydra, jellyfish |
| Platyhelminthes | Flat, acoelomate | Planaria, tapeworm |
| Nematoda | Round, pseudocoelomate | Ascaris |
| Annelida | Segmented, nephridia | Earthworm |
| Arthropoda | Jointed legs, exoskeleton, largest phylum | Cockroach, prawn |
| Mollusca | Soft body, mantle, shell | Snail, octopus |
| Echinodermata | Water vascular system, spiny skin | Starfish |
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