Phylum Chordata
Phylum Chordata
• "Chordates"
• Contains vertebrate species.
• Bilaterally Symmetrical.
• characterized by a notochord, dorsal
nerve chord,pharyngeal slits, and
post-anal tail.
Characteristics of Phylum
Notochord Chordata
Dorsal hollow nerve
• between the nerve cord
• cord
Gives rise to spinal cord and brain
and digestive system
• skeletal support
Pharyngeal Slits
Post-anal
• TailLocomotion in aquatic • filter food, gill support, jaw
species. support
• Balance, communication
tools
• Vestigial in human Adult Lancelet
Pharyngeal
Slits
Dorsal hollow
nerve cord
Notochord
Post-
anal
Tail
Characteristics of Phylum Chordata
Dorsal hollow nerve cord Pharyngeal Slits
• Dorsal to notochord • filter food, gill
• Gives rise to spinal support, jaw support
cord and brain
Post-anal Tail
Notochord • Locomotion in
• between the aquatic species.
nerve cord and • Balance,
digestive system communication
• skeletal support tools
• Vestigial in human
Phylum Chordata
Notochord
• Bone in fish
• Backbone in human
Post-anal tail
Examples
Phylum Chordata
• Mammals: humans, dogs, cats, and whales
• Birds: sparrows, eagles, and penguins.
• Reptiles: snakes, turtles, and lizards.
• Amphibians: Frogs, toads, and salamanders
• Fish: salmon and tuna, and cartilaginous fish
like sharks and rays
Phylum Chordata
3 Subphyla:
1. Subphylum Cephalochordata
2. Subphylum Tunicata
3. Subphylum Vertebrata
1. Subphylum
Cephalochordata
• lancelets, fish-like organisms.
• well-developed notochord
• simpler structure
• inhabit shallow tropical and
temperate oceans
• feed by filtering food particles
from the water
2. Subphylum
Tunicata
• also known as Urochordata
• group of marine invertebrates
• characterized by a Tunic — a
gelatinous covering that
provides protection and
support.
Examples:
sea squirts salps pyrosomes
3. Subphylum
Vertebrata
• most well-known
subphylum
• animals with backbones
made up of vertebrae
• fishes, amphibians, reptiles,
birds, and mammals
Thank
you
