This document describes the characteristics of the phylum Chordata, including having a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal pouches or gill slits, and a postanal tail. It outlines the three subphyla: Cephalocharodata which includes lancelets, Urochordata which includes sea squirts, and Vertebrata which are distinguished by having a vertebral column or spine, cranium, and endoskeleton composed of bone or cartilage. Major groups of vertebrates described include lampreys and hagfishes, sharks and rays, boney fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

1. Phylum ChordataPhylum Chordata

2. Characteristics ofCharacteristics of
ChordatesChordates► NotochordNotochord
► Dorsal nerve cordDorsal nerve cord
► Pharyngeal pouches or gill slitsPharyngeal pouches or gill slits
► Postanal tailPostanal tail

3. ► SubphylumSubphylum
CephalocharodataCephalocharodata
-- This subphylum isThis subphylum is
composed of about 2composed of about 2
dozen blade-shapeddozen blade-shaped
animals known asanimals known as
lancelets. They retainlancelets. They retain
all characteristicall characteristic
throughout life.throughout life.
► SubphylumSubphylum
Urochordata-Urochordata- ThisThis
subphylum issubphylum is
commonly known ascommonly known as
tunicates ( sea squirts).tunicates ( sea squirts).
Larva posses allLarva posses all
chordatechordate
characteristics whilecharacteristics while
adults exhibit onlyadults exhibit only
Pharyngeal pouches.Pharyngeal pouches.

4. Subphylum VertebrataSubphylum Vertebrata
► All characteristicsAll characteristics
of chordatesof chordates
► DistinguishingDistinguishing
characteristicscharacteristics
 Vertebral column orVertebral column or
spinespine
 Cranium or skullCranium or skull
that protects thethat protects the
brainbrain
 EndoskeletonEndoskeleton
composed of bonecomposed of bone
or cartilageor cartilage

5. Major groups of VertebratesMajor groups of Vertebrates

6. Lampreys and HagfishesLampreys and Hagfishes
► Long, eel-like bodiesLong, eel-like bodies
► Lack jawsLack jaws
► Paired finsPaired fins
► bonesbones

7. Sharks, Skates and RaysSharks, Skates and Rays
►ClassClass
ChondrichthyeChondrichthye
ss
 JawsJaws
 Paired finsPaired fins
 Skeleton ofSkeleton of
cartilagecartilage

8. Boney FishesBoney Fishes
►ClassClass
OsteichthyesOsteichthyes
 JawsJaws
 Most have aMost have a
skeletonskeleton
composed ofcomposed of
bonebone

9. AmphibiansAmphibians
►Class AmphibiaClass Amphibia
 Included frogs,Included frogs,
toads andtoads and
salamanderssalamanders
 Skin is moist andSkin is moist and
permeable topermeable to
gases and watergases and water
 Most lay eggs inMost lay eggs in
waterwater
 Most have anMost have an
aquatic larvalaquatic larval

10. ReptilesReptiles
►Class ReptiliaClass Reptilia
 Turtles,Turtles,
crocodiles,crocodiles,
alligators, lizardsalligators, lizards
and snakesand snakes
 Skin is dry andSkin is dry and
scalyscaly
 Eggs that can beEggs that can be
laid on landlaid on land

11. BirdsBirds
►Class AvesClass Aves
 Adapted for flightAdapted for flight
►FeathersFeathers
►Hollow bonesHollow bones
►UniqueUnique
respiratory systemrespiratory system

12. MammalsMammals
►CharacteristicsCharacteristics
 EndothermyEndothermy
 HairHair
 Completely divided four chamber heartCompletely divided four chamber heart
 Milk produced from mammary glandMilk produced from mammary gland
 Single jawboneSingle jawbone
 Specialized teethSpecialized teeth

13. Order MonotremataOrder Monotremata
►Egg-laying mammalsEgg-laying mammals
►Most primitive of mammalsMost primitive of mammals
►Only three speciesOnly three species
 Two anteaters and one platypusTwo anteaters and one platypus

14. Order MarsupialiaOrder Marsupialia
►250 species250 species
►The U.S. has only one species – the VirginiaThe U.S. has only one species – the Virginia
opossumopossum
►Young develop in a pouchYoung develop in a pouch

15. Placental MammalsPlacental Mammals
►Diverse group composed of at least 18Diverse group composed of at least 18
ordersorders
►95% of mammals are placental95% of mammals are placental
►They live on land, in water and the airThey live on land, in water and the air