Phylum Chordata - Complete Detailed Guide
PHYLUM CHORDATA - COMPLETE DETAILED GUIDE
DEFINITION:
Phylum Chordata is a diverse and significant group of animals characterized by the presence of a
notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, post-anal tail, and an endostyle or thyroid
gland at some point during their life cycle. It includes both vertebrates and invertebrates and
comprises some of the most complex animals, including humans.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PHYLUM CHORDATA:
1. Notochord:
- A flexible, rod-like structure found in the embryonic stage of all chordates.
- In vertebrates, it is replaced by the vertebral column during development.
2. Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord:
- A tube-like structure located above the notochord.
- Develops into the brain and spinal cord in vertebrates.
3. Pharyngeal Slits or Clefts:
- Openings in the pharynx (throat region).
- In aquatic animals, they develop into gills; in terrestrial animals, they may develop into parts of the
ear or tonsils.
4. Post-anal Tail:
- Extension of the body beyond the anus.
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Phylum Chordata - Complete Detailed Guide
- May be present in embryonic stages only (e.g., humans).
5. Endostyle or Thyroid Gland:
- The endostyle helps in filter-feeding in lower chordates.
- In higher chordates, it evolves into the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism.
6. Bilateral Symmetry:
- Body can be divided into mirror-image halves.
7. Triploblastic:
- Having three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
8. Coelomates:
- True body cavity lined with mesoderm.
9. Closed Circulatory System:
- Blood flows within vessels.
10. Complete Digestive System:
- With a mouth and anus.
CLASSIFICATION OF PHYLUM CHORDATA:
Phylum Chordata is divided into three subphyla:
1. Subphylum Urochordata (Tunicata):
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Phylum Chordata - Complete Detailed Guide
- Marine animals.
- Larvae are free-swimming with chordate features.
- Adults are sessile and lose many chordate features.
- Notochord and nerve cord present only in larvae.
- Body is enclosed in a tunic made of tunicin.
- Example: Ascidia, Salpa, Doliolum
2. Subphylum Cephalochordata:
- Small, fish-like marine animals.
- Retain all chordate characteristics throughout life.
- Notochord extends from head to tail.
- Filter feeders.
- Example: Branchiostoma (formerly Amphioxus)
3. Subphylum Vertebrata (Craniata):
- Most advanced chordates.
- Notochord is replaced by a vertebral column in adults.
- Well-developed brain enclosed in a skull (cranium).
- Endoskeleton is either cartilaginous or bony.
CLASSES UNDER SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATA:
A. Superclass Agnatha (Jawless Vertebrates):
Class Cyclostomata:
- Jawless, limbless, eel-like body.
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Phylum Chordata - Complete Detailed Guide
- Circular mouth for suction.
- Cartilaginous skeleton.
- Example: Petromyzon (lamprey), Myxine (hagfish)
B. Superclass Gnathostomata (Jawed Vertebrates):
I. Class Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fishes):
- Skeleton made of cartilage.
- Tough skin with placoid scales.
- No air bladder.
- Internal fertilization.
- Example: Shark, Stingray, Skate
II. Class Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes):
- Skeleton made of bone.
- Body covered with cycloid or ctenoid scales.
- Have air bladder.
- External fertilization.
- Example: Catla, Rohu, Salmon, Goldfish
III. Class Amphibia:
- Live both on land and water.
- Moist, glandular skin; no scales.
- Ectothermic (cold-blooded).
- Lay eggs in water.
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Phylum Chordata - Complete Detailed Guide
- Example: Frog, Toad, Salamander
IV. Class Reptilia:
- Dry, scaly skin.
- Mostly lay eggs with leathery shells.
- Ectothermic.
- Example: Lizard, Snake, Turtle, Crocodile
V. Class Aves (Birds):
- Body covered with feathers.
- Forelimbs modified into wings.
- Endothermic (warm-blooded).
- Lay eggs with hard shells.
- Example: Pigeon, Parrot, Owl, Eagle
VI. Class Mammalia:
- Body covered with hair.
- Mammary glands present to nourish young.
- Give birth to live young (mostly).
- Endothermic.
- Example: Human, Cat, Whale, Elephant
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE THREE SUBPHYLA:
| Feature | Urochordata | Cephalochordata | Vertebrata |
|---------------|----------------------|------------------------|--------------------------|
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Phylum Chordata - Complete Detailed Guide
| Notochord | Only in larval stage | Throughout life | Replaced by backbone |
| Habitat | Marine | Marine | Aquatic and terrestrial |
| Mobility | Sessile (adults) | Motile | Highly motile |
| Brain | Absent | Simple nerve cord | Well-developed brain |
| Example | Ascidia | Branchiostoma | Human, Fish, Bird |
MNEMONIC FOR VERTEBRATE CLASSES:
"Come Over And Read A Marvelous Book"
- C: Cyclostomata
- O: Osteichthyes
- A: Amphibia
- R: Reptilia
- A: Aves
- M: Mammalia
IMPORTANCE OF CHORDATES:
- Ecological: Maintain balance in ecosystems (e.g., birds as pollinators, mammals as
predators/prey).
- Economic: Source of food (fish, poultry, livestock), labor (horses, oxen), and products (wool, milk,
leather).
- Medical Research: Used in biomedical research due to similarities with humans.
- Evolutionary Insight: Help understand evolutionary relationships among animals.
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