Chordata Characteristics

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Chordata Characteristics

• Phylum Chordata - General Characteristics
• Bilateral symmetry
• Notochord flexible rod, forms axis of the body
• Single, dorsal, tubular nerve cord
• Pharyngeal pouches
• Postanal tail
• Segmented muscles
• Ventral Heart
• Complete digestive system
• Endoskeleton

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Four Chordate Hallmarks

• Four Chordate hallmarks that set it apart from
  all other animals
• Notochord first part of the endoskeleton to
  appear in embryo
• Dorsal tubular nerve cord anterior end enlarges
  to form the brain
• Pharyngeal pouches and slits
• Postanal tail

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Subphylum Vertebrata Vertebrates

• Cranium
• Paired kidneys
• Integument epidermis and dermis
• Endoskeleton of bone and/or cartilage
• Pharynx
• Many muscles attached to endoskeleton
• Complete digestive tract
• Ventral heart with 2 or 4 chambers
• Well developed coelom
• Brain 10 -12 pairs cranial nerves

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Class Osteichthyes bony fish

• General Characteristics
• Skeleton of bone
• Homocercal tail both lobes of equal size
  (caudal fin)
• Paired and median fins
• Jaws with enamel on teeth
• Gills covered by operculum
• Swim bladder
• Skin with mucous
• Other classes under the subphylum Vertebrata
  Agnatha (hagfish)
• and Chondrichthyes (sharks) we already took
  notes over these
• guys! ?