Phylum Chordata

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Phylum Chordata

• Invertebrate Chordates
• Vertebrate Chordates

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4 Trademarks of Phylum Chordata

• 1. Notochord
• Semi-rigid rod-like structure
• Axis for muscle attachment
• 2. Hollow Dorsal Nerve Chord
• Anterior end is brain
• Is spinal chord in vertebrates

Tunicate notochord
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4Trademarks of Phylum Chordata

• 3. Pharyngeal Gill Slits
• or Pouches

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4 Trademarks of Phylum Chordata

• 4. Post Anal Tail
• Function propulsion
• Very good for
• swimming

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Other Chordate Characteristics

• Bilateral symmetry
• Ventral heart
• Complete digestive tract
• Endoskeleton (bone or cartilage or both)

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Phylum Chordata

• Includes
• 1. Invertebrate Chordates
• E.g. tunicates lancelets
• 2. Vertebrate Chordates
• Subphylum Vertebrata
• All animals with a spine

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Subphylum Urochordata

• Pastel Sea Squirt (Tunicate)

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Subphylum Urochordata

• Blue Bell tunicate

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Subphylum Cephalochordata

• Lancelets (Amphioxus)
• Marine, silver, fish-like shape, pointed at both
  ends

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Lancelet

• Amphioxus

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2. Vertebrate Chordates Subphylum Vertebrata

• A. Jawless Fish
• Agnathans
• 1. Hagfish
• Lampreys
• B. Animals
• with jaws
• Acanthodians

hagfish
lampreys