1. Chordate Characteristics
Advanced Life Science
Rainier Jr/Sr High School
Mr. Taylor

2. Chordate Characteristics
Phylum Chordata
A phylum of the Animal Kingdom
All the groups we have studied were also phyla of the Kingdom Animalia:
Porifera
Coelenterata
Mollusca
Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, & Annelida
Echinodermata
Arthropoda

3. Chordate Characteristics
Phylum Chordata
Members of the phylum Chordata must have at some time in their life the following 4 characteristics:
A notocord
A stiff cartilaginous rod in their dorsal region
Becomes the backbone/vertebrae in those animals that have a backbone

4. Chordate Characteristics
Phylum Chordata
Members of the phylum Chordata must have at some time in their life the following 4 characteristics:
A dorsal hollow nerve cord
Becomes the spinal cord in almost all chordates

5. Chordate Characteristics
Phylum Chordata
Members of the phylum Chordata must have at some time in their life the following 4 characteristics:
Pharyngeal gill slits
Become gills and their supporting structures in fish and amphibians
Are modified into other structures in most organisms, including fish and amphibians
most notably they become jaws

6. Chordate Characteristics
Phylum Chordata
Members of the phylum Chordata must have at some time in their life the following 4 characteristics:
A muscular post-anal tail
Persists in many chordates, is re-absorbed in others

7. Chordate Characteristics
Phylum Chordata
Members of the phylum
See also Figure 25.1, page 758

8. Chordate Characteristics
Phylum Chordata
3 Subphyla
Two subphyla do NOT have backbones or vertebrae.
Urochordata (tunicates)
Cephalochordata (lancelets)
One Subphyla has backbones or vertebrae
Vertebrata

9. Chordate Characteristics
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
These animals DO have backbones or vertebrae
Have a bony or cartilaginous endoskeleton
Axial skeleton: skull + vertebrae or backbone + ribs
Appendicular skeleton: pectoral and pelvic girdles + limbs
Possess distinct cephalization
Have a closed circulatory system and a true coelom
Most eliminate nitrogenous wastes via kidneys
Most have two sets of paired appendages

10. Subphylum Vertebrata Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata
Made up of numerous Classes
Most primitive class is Agnatha (“without jaws”)
2 groups: lampreys and hagfish
Lampreys
Have long, thin bodies with cartilage skeletons
Heart has 2 chambers
Atrium (accepts blood)
Ventricle (pumps blood)
Notocord persists throughout life

11. Subphylum Vertebrata Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata
Made up of numerous Classes
Most primitive class is Agnatha (“without jaws”)
2 groups: lampreys and hagfish
Lampreys
Most are parasitic
Reproduce by laying eggs (oviparous)
External fertilization
Well-developed eyes

12. Subphylum Vertebrata Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata
Made up of numerous Classes
Most primitive class is Agnatha (“without jaws”)
2 groups: lampreys and hagfish
Hagfish
Long, thin bodies, cartilage skeleton
Are scavengers, reside on the ocean floor
Only have eye slits
Poor sensory receptors except for chemosensors
Secrete LOTS of mucus (slime) to keep away predators.

13. Did you see, hear, or did I say anything that would you would like to ask a question about now?