Major and Minor Phyla Concept of major or minor phyla depends on:- Number of species and individuals. Participation in ecological communities. 9 are regarded as major phyla : Protozoa, Porifera, Colenterata, Platyhelminthes, Nematodes, Molluscs, Annelida , Arthropoda, Echinodermata Minor phyla : Rotifera , Acanthocephala, Nemertinea , Pogonophora