Phylum Chordata
Characteristics of Chordates
► Notochord
► Dorsal
nerve cord
► Pharyngeal pouches or gill slits
► Postanal tail
► Subphylum
CephalocharodataThis subphylum is
composed of about 2
dozen blade-shaped
animals known as
lancelets. They retain
all characteristic
throughout life.
► Subphylum
Urochordata- This
subphylum is
commonly known as
tunicates ( sea squirts).
Larva posses all
chordate characteristics
while adults exhibit
only Pharyngeal
pouches.
Subphylum Vertebrata
► All
characteristics of
chordates
► Distinguishing
characteristics
 Vertebral column or
spine
 Cranium or skull that
protects the brain
 Endoskeleton
composed of bone or
cartilage
Major groups of Vertebrates
Lampreys and Hagfishes
► Long,
eel-like bodies
► Lack jaws
► Paired fins
► bones
Sharks, Skates and Rays
►Class
Chondrichthyes
 Jaws
 Paired fins
 Skeleton of
cartilage
Boney Fishes
► Class
Osteichthyes
 Jaws
 Most have a
skeleton
composed of bone
Amphibians
► Class
Amphibia
 Included frogs,
toads and
salamanders
 Skin is moist and
permeable to gases
and water
 Most lay eggs in
water
 Most have an
aquatic larval stage
Reptiles
► Class
Reptilia
 Turtles,
crocodiles,
alligators, lizards
and snakes
 Skin is dry and
scaly
 Eggs that can be
laid on land
Birds
►Class
Aves
 Adapted for flight
►Feathers
►Hollow
bones
►Unique respiratory
system
Mammals
► Characteristics






Endothermy
Hair
Completely divided four chamber heart
Milk produced from mammary gland
Single jawbone
Specialized teeth
Order Monotremata
► Egg-laying
mammals
► Most primitive of mammals
► Only three species
 Two anteaters and one platypus
Order Marsupialia
► 250
species
► The U.S. has only one species – the Virginia
opossum
► Young develop in a pouch
Placental Mammals
► Diverse
group composed of at least 18
orders
► 95% of mammals are placental
► They live on land, in water and the air