The second largest phylum in the animal kingdom is

Options

A. Annelida
B. Arthropoda
C. Cephalopoda
D. Amphineura

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Identify the Largest Phylum in the Animal Kingdom:**
- The largest phylum in the animal kingdom is Arthropoda. This group includes insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and more.

2. **Determine the Second Largest Phylum:**
- After identifying Arthropoda as the largest, we need to find the second largest phylum. The second largest phylum is Mollusca.

3. **Understand the Characteristics of Mollusca:**
- Mollusca includes a diverse range of animals, many of which have shells. This group encompasses organisms like snails, clams, and octopuses.

4. **Evaluate the Options Given:**
- The options provided include:
- Annelids
- Arthropods
- Cephalopoda
- Amphinura
- Annelids are segmented worms and are not the second largest phylum.
- Arthropods are the largest phylum, so they cannot be the answer.
- Cephalopoda is a class within Mollusca, which includes advanced mollusks like squids and octopuses.
- Amphinura is also a class within Mollusca but does not represent the entire phylum.

5. **Conclude the Answer:**
- Based on the evaluation, the second largest phylum in the animal kingdom is Mollusca.

**Final Answer:**
The second largest phylum in the animal kingdom is Mollusca.

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