THE CHORDATA PHYLUM
By Anna Lowrey
OVERVIEW OF THE CHORDATA PHYLUM
The phylum Chordata is made up of three groups( vertebrates,
tunicates, and lancelets). This phylum contains all vertebrates
and some invertebrates. All chordates share four features a
notochords, hallow nerve cords, pharyngeal slits, and tails. Most
of these groups lose some or all these characteristics in adulthood.
VERTEBRATES
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Large, active animals
 Have a well-developed
brain encased in a
hard skull
 Include animals such
as cats, dogs, and
bears

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TUNICATES
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Invertebrates
 Both free-swimming
and sessile animals
 Include sea squirts
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LANCELETS
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Cephalochordates
 Small eel-like animals
 Commonly found in
shallow tropical
oceans
 Spend most of their
life buried in sand
 Filter feeders
 Example- Lancelets
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