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Overview of Phylum Chordata

Phylum Chordata, established by Belfour in 1880, encompasses around 49,000 species including protochordates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Key characteristics include the presence of a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal gill slits, and a post-anal tail, distinguishing them from non-chordates. Chordates are classified into three sub-phyla based on the fate of the notochord: Urochordata, Cephalochordata, and Vertebrata, with Vertebrata further divided into jawless and jawed categories.

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193 views2 pages

Overview of Phylum Chordata

Phylum Chordata, established by Belfour in 1880, encompasses around 49,000 species including protochordates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Key characteristics include the presence of a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal gill slits, and a post-anal tail, distinguishing them from non-chordates. Chordates are classified into three sub-phyla based on the fate of the notochord: Urochordata, Cephalochordata, and Vertebrata, with Vertebrata further divided into jawless and jawed categories.

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PHYLUM CHORDATA - NOTES

1. INTRODUCTION
- Phylum Chordata was created by Belfour in 1880.
- It includes about 49,000 species of highly evolved, adaptable animals.
- Examples include protochordates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

2. DIAGNOSTIC CHARACTERS OF CHORDATES


- Notochord: Dorsal, rod-like structure present at least in the embryonic stage.
- Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord: Develops from neural ectoderm; forms CNS.
- Pharyngeal Gill Slits: Used for respiration; connect pharynx to the exterior.
- Post-anal Tail: Present behind anus; helps in movement and balance.

3. COMMON CHARACTERS WITH HIGHER NON-CHORDATES


- Triploblastic: Three germ layers-ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
- Bilateral Symmetry: Body can be divided into two equal mirror halves.
- Organ-system Level: Advanced organ systems (digestive, respiratory, etc.).
- Coelom: True coelomate with enterocoelic coelom.
- Metamerism: Internal segmentation of body structures.
- Cephalization: Distinct head with sense organs and brain.
- Endoskeleton: Living, internal skeleton that grows with the body.
- Tube-in-Tube Plan: Complete digestive tract from mouth to anus.

4. DIFFERENCES: CHORDATES VS NON-CHORDATES


- Notochord: Present in chordates, absent in non-chordates.
- Nerve Cord: Dorsal and hollow vs Ventral and solid.
- Gill Slits: Present in chordates.
- Tail: Present post-anally in chordates.
- Heart: Ventral in chordates.
- Haemoglobin: Present in RBCs (chordates), dissolved/absent (non-chordates).
- Blood Flow: Forward in ventral and backward in dorsal vessel in chordates.

5. CLASSIFICATION OF PHYLUM CHORDATA


- Based on fate of notochord, classified into three sub-phyla:
a. Urochordata - Notochord in larval tail only.
b. Cephalochordata - Notochord extends to head.
c. Vertebrata - Notochord replaced by vertebral column.

6. SUB-PHYLUM VERTEBRATA: GENERAL FEATURES


- Vertebral Column: Backbone replaces notochord.
- Cranium: Brain protected by bony skull (cranium).
- Skin: Multilayered epidermis and connective dermis.
- Metamerism: Segmented muscles, ribs, and vertebrae.
- Excretory System: Kidneys (mostly metanephric), with/without bladder.
- Circulatory System: Closed type with red blood containing hemoglobin; hepatic portal and lymphatic sys

7. CLASSIFICATION OF VERTEBRATA
- AGNATHA (Jawless):
- Cyclostomata
- GNATHOSTOMATA (Jawed):
a. Superclass Pisces (Fishes):
- Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous fishes)
- Osteichthyes (Bony fishes)
b. Superclass Tetrapoda (Four-limbed):
- Amphibia (Moist skin)
- Reptilia (Dry scaly skin)
- Aves (Feathers and beak)
- Mammalia (Hair and mammary glands)

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