Organisms can be classified according to presence or absence of the coelom. The body cavity, which is lined by mesoderm is called coelom. Animals possessing coelom are called coelomates, e.g., annelids, molluscs, arthropods, echinoderms, hemichordates and chordates. In some animals, the body cavity is not lined by mesoderm, instead, the mesoderm is present as scattered pouches in between the ectoderm and endoderm. Such a body cavity is called pseudocoelom and the animals possessing them are called pseudocoelomates, e.g., aschelminthes. In pseudocoelomates, body cavity is derived from blastocoel of the embryo. The animals in which the body cavity is absent are called acoelomates, e.g., platyhelminthes.
Organisms can be classified according to presence or absence of the coelom. The body cavity, which is lined by mesoderm is called coelom. Animals possessing coelom are called coelomates, e.g., annelids, molluscs, arthropods, echinoderms, hemichordates and chordates. In some animals, the body cavity is not lined by mesoderm, instead, the mesoderm is present as scattered pouches in between the ectoderm and endoderm. Such a body cavity is called pseudocoelom and the animals possessing them are called pseudocoelomates, e.g., aschelminthes. In pseudocoelomates, body cavity is derived from blastocoel of the embryo. The animals in which the body cavity is absent are called acoelomates, e.g., platyhelminthes.