Phylum Chordata The Chordates!

All chordates have these 4 characteristics: Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord: a nerve cord that runs along the back Notochord: long, supporting rod that runs below the DHNC

Pharyngeal Pouches: slits in the throat that may help with gas exchange in some animals 4. Post-Anal Tail: at some point in their lives, all chordates have a tail that extends past the anus

Tunicates (sea squirts) Lancelets Most chordates are vertebrates but there are some non-vertebrate chordates. The two groups of non-vertebrate chordates (chordates without backbones) are: Tunicates (sea squirts) Filter feeders that live in the ocean Soft-bodied Show all the characteristics of chordates as LARVAE Lancelets Small, fish-like creatures that live on the ocean floor

SO… Phylum Chordata includes: 3 subphyla: Subphylum Urochordata (tunicates) Subphylum Cephalochordata (lancelets) Subphylum Vertebrata (vertebrates) Vertebrates: fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals

Vertebrates include: fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals All vertebrates have: A backbone Bilateral symmetry Endoskeletons Closed circulatory systems Complex brains & sensory organs Efficient respiratory systems