Biodiversity: Kingdom Animalia Phylum Echinodermata BIO 40S

Phylum Echinodermata Characteristics All saltwater aquatic organisms Endoskeleton of spiny plates Many have radial symmetry Larval stage often bilaterally symmetrical Very diverse group Sea cucumbers-class Holothuroidea Sea stars- class Asteroidea

5-rayed body with mouth on underside and anus on upper side Digestive glands and gonads found on all branched arms. No brain but contains central nerve ring that branches off to each arm. Contains madreporite to allow water movement in and out of starfish

Phylum Chordata 4 distinct characteristics found in phylum chordata Notocord-dorsal rod for support In vertebrates it is replaced by the spinal column Dorsal tubular nerve cord In vertebrates it is protected by the spinal column Pharyngeal pouches Become gills in invertebrate chordates, fishes, and some amphibian larvae Humans-auditory tubes, tonsils, thymus and parathyroid glands Post-anal tail Our tail bone (coccyx)

In the Womb…

Phylum Chordata Fish Birds Mammals (Humans) Amphibians Reptiles Phylum Chordata includes: Fish Birds Mammals (Humans) Amphibians Reptiles

Evolutionary tree of chordates