Vertebrates are animals that have backbones, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. They are characterized by having a backbone, muscular system, central nervous system, and endoskeleton. Invertebrates make up 97% of animal species but do not have backbones, instead using specialized cells to move. Examples of invertebrates include sponges, jellyfish, worms, insects, starfish, and snails.

1. Biodiversity Vertebrates vs. Invertebrates

2. Vertebrates

3. What are Vertebrates? Vertebrates are creatures with backbones or spinal columns . The term Vertebrata is used in scientific classifications as a subphylum of chordates . The name comes from the vetebrate bones that make up the spinal column. Generally most of the animals we are familiar with are vertebrates . Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are all vertebrates.

4. Characteristics of Vertebrates - backbone or spinal column -muscular system that consist of mainly paired masses -central nervous system -generally vertebrates have endoskeletons -a distinguishable head that house sensory organs

5. DID YOU KNOW? About 57, 739 species of vertebrates have been described. Vertebrates started to evolve about 530 million years ago. Both the vertebral column and the limbs support the body of the vertebrate overall. The contour of the body of a vertebrate is formed by the muscles. The central nervous system of a vertebrate consists of the brain and the spinal cord.

6. Invertebrates

7. What is an Invertebrate? Almost 97% of all animal life on the planet are invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals without spinal columns or backbones. They have specialized cells to facilitate movement. Invertebrates have various means of reproduction. Some possess exoskeletons, or no skeletal structures at all.

8. Examples of Invertebrates Porifera — sponges Cnidarians — jellyfish Platyhelminthes — flatworms Nematoda — roundworms Annelida — earthworms Echinodermata — starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers Mollusca — squid, snails Arthropoda — ticks, spiders, grasshoppers, lobsters, crabs Bryozoa — moss animals, sea mats (occasionally resemble corals)