Final answer:
The phylum Porifera, also known as sponges, exemplifies an animal group with a high surface area to volume ratio, significant for their feeding and respiration processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best example of an animal phylum with enhanced overall surface area is the phylum Porifera, commonly referred to as sponges. Sponges have a high surface area to volume ratio, which is vital for their mode of feeding, respiration, and excretion. They accomplish this by filtering water throughout their porous bodies, using specialized cells called choanocytes to trap and digest food particles. This feeding strategy effectively increases the amount of surface area exposed to water, thereby improving the efficiency of nutrient absorption and waste removal.