Invertebrate
Zoology Chordata
Although
the phylum Chordata does not have an inordinately large number of species
(about 45,000), its members have been very successful at adapting to aquatic
and terrestrial environments throughout the world.
 |
|
Phylum Chordata
1.
Bilaterally symmetrical, deuterostomate
animals
2.
Four unique characteristics present
at some stage in development: notochord, pharyngeal slits or pouches,
dorsal tubular nerve cord, and postanal
tail
3.
Presence of an endostyle
or thyroid gland
4.
Complete digestive tract
5.
Ventral, contractile blood vessel
(heart) |