Identify the common characteristics of superphylum Lophotrochozoa

There are five phyla in the superphylum Lophotrochozoa (also known as the crest or wheel animals): Platyhelminthes, Rotifera, Nemertea, Mollusca, and Annelida. These phyla include animals from flatworms to squids. While these may seem like very different creatures, they share characteristics that place them together in the tree of life. Let’s figure out just what makes these animals part of the same superphylum.

What You’ll Learn to Do

• Identify common structural and organization characteristics of the superphylum Lophotrochozoa
• Describe the unique anatomical and morphological features of flatworms
• Describe the unique anatomical and morphological features of rotifers
• Describe the unique anatomical and morphological features of Nemertea
• Describe the unique anatomical and morphological features of mollusks
• Describe the features of animals classified in phylum Annelida

Learning Activities

The learning activities for this section include the following:

• Characteristics of Superphylum Lophotrochozoa
• Phylum Platyhelminthes
• Phylum Rotifera
• Phylum Nemertea
• Phylum Mollusca
• Phylum Annelida
• Self Check: Superphylum Lophotrochozoa