Synapomorphies are defined as ancestral characters shared by two or more species. The chordata word has emerged from characters which are being shared between organisms indicating common ancestry. There are two well known ancestral characters common between majority of the chordates i.e. notochord and pharyngeal Slits. Notochord: This is common between all the chordates at different stages of growth and development. It represents like a flexible rod that helps in the movement of the chordates. Pharyngeal Slits: These are openings present in pharynx or throat region. These slits have evolved differently in various chordates such as used to filter food particles in older chordates, in other species of chordates, slits are present only during the embryonic stages. Solution Synapomorphies are defined as ancestral characters shared by two or more species. The chordata word has emerged from characters which are being shared between organisms indicating common ancestry. There are two well known ancestral characters common between majority of the chordates i.e. notochord and pharyngeal Slits. Notochord: This is common between all the chordates at different stages of growth and development. It represents like a flexible rod that helps in the movement of the chordates. Pharyngeal Slits: These are openings present in pharynx or throat region. These slits have evolved differently in various chordates such as used to filter food particles in older chordates, in other species of chordates, slits are present only during the embryonic stages..

1. Synapomorphies are defined as ancestral characters shared by two or more species.
The chordata word has emerged from characters which are being shared between organisms
indicating common ancestry. There are two well known ancestral characters common between
majority of the chordates i.e. notochord and pharyngeal Slits.
Notochord: This is common between all the chordates at different stages of growth and
development. It represents like a flexible rod that helps in the movement of the chordates.
Pharyngeal Slits: These are openings present in pharynx or throat region. These slits have
evolved differently in various chordates such as used to filter food particles in older chordates, in
other species of chordates, slits are present only during the embryonic stages.
Solution
Synapomorphies are defined as ancestral characters shared by two or more species.
The chordata word has emerged from characters which are being shared between organisms
indicating common ancestry. There are two well known ancestral characters common between
majority of the chordates i.e. notochord and pharyngeal Slits.
Notochord: This is common between all the chordates at different stages of growth and
development. It represents like a flexible rod that helps in the movement of the chordates.
Pharyngeal Slits: These are openings present in pharynx or throat region. These slits have
evolved differently in various chordates such as used to filter food particles in older chordates, in
other species of chordates, slits are present only during the embryonic stages.