What are the characteristics of Cephalochordata?

Cephalochordata is a subphylum in the phylum chordata. The animals belonging to this subphylum are known as cephalochordates, lancelets or amphioxus. They are marine animals that possess a segmented and elongated body. They also contain a notochord that extends from the head to the tail.

What are the characteristics of Urochordata and Cephalochordata?

Urochordata consists of a notochord in the posterior part of the body while Cephalochordata consists of a notochord extended to the head region. The main difference between Urochordata and Cephalochordata is the presence of the notochord in the head region.

What are the classes of subphylum Cephalochordata?

The subphylum Cephalochordata comprises a single family Brachiostomatidae with two genera Branchiostoma (Costa, 1834) and Asymmetron (Andrews, 1893).

How is subphylum Cephalochordata different from subphylum Urochordata?

The key difference between Urochordata and Cephalochordata is based on their notochord extension. In Urochordata, the notochord is extended towards the posterior part, forming a tail in the larval stages. In Cephalochordata, the notochord is extended to the anterior part.

What are 5 characteristics of chordates?

Chordates have five key characteristics:
  • The presence of a notochord.
  • A dorsal hollow nerve cord.
  • Pharyngeal gill slits that are paired.
  • Ventral heart.
  • Post-anal Tail.

What are the four characteristics that all members of chordate have?

“The four distinctive characteristics that, taken together, set chordates apart form all other phyla are the notochord; single, dorsal, tubular nerve cord; pharyngeal pouches; and postanal propulsive tail.

Why subphylum Cephalochordata are called lancelets?

Extant members of Cephalochordata are the lancelets, named for their blade-like shape. Lancelets are only a few centimeters long and are usually found buried in sand at the bottom of warm temperate and tropical seas. Like tunicates, they are suspension feeders.

What is the example of an animal belonging to sub phylum Cephalochordata?

Option A: Amphioxus, also called Branchiostoma is a member of the Cephalochordata.

What are the classification of Urochordata?

The Subphylum Urochordata includes a large number of species which exhibit high degree of biological diversities. The members are classified under three classes: Ascidiacea, Thaliacea and Larvacea or Appendicularia.

Why Urochordata and Cephalochordata are called Protochordates?

In the sub-phylum Vertebrata, the notochord is changed into the bony, hollow vertebral column. Hence, the Urochordata and Cephalochordata are called protochordate because they are the primitive form of chordates.

What are the five characteristics of vertebrates?

Vertebrates have five key characteristics that are common to all vertebrates.
  • They have a backbone.
  • They have a skull.
  • They have an endoskeleton.
  • They have bilateral symmetry.
  • They have two pairs of appendages.

Why urochordates is called Tunicata?

It is also known as Tunicate because the body of an adult is enclosed within a tunic made up of a cellulose-like substance known as tunicin. It provides the urochordates with protection.

Do cephalochordates have hearts?

Circulatory system

The most notable difference is that cephalochordates lack a heart. Blood is forced through the closed system by contractile blood vessels (especially one called the ventral aorta) and by blood vessels of the gills.

How do cephalochordates feed?

Cephalochordates have developed a filter feeding system, called the oral hood, that serves as the entrance for incoming food particles. The free edge of the oral hood contains Buccal cirri, small filament-like projections, that assist in sifting out larger food particles before they enter the buccal cavity.

What are the four characteristics that all members of chordate have?

“The four distinctive characteristics that, taken together, set chordates apart form all other phyla are the notochord; single, dorsal, tubular nerve cord; pharyngeal pouches; and postanal propulsive tail.

Which organ is absent in Cephalochordate?

Paired sensory organs are conspicuously absent in cephalochordates.

What is the excretory organ of Cephalochordata?

Cephalochordates also have a well-developed circulatory system and a simple excretory system composed of paired nephridia. The sexes are separate, and both males and females have multiple paired gonads. Eggs are fertilized externally, and develop into free-swimming, fishlike larvae.

How do Cephalochordata reproduce?

Cephalochordates reproduce by releasing their eggs and sperm into the water, where they are fertilized externally. The fertilized eggs develop into free-swimming larvae that drift in the water for up to 200 days, feeding on plankton and other suspended matter, before settling down as adults.

What is the name of larva of Cephalochordata?

Larval tunicates swim for a few days after hatching, then attach to a marine surface and undergo metamorphosis into the sessile adult form. Lancelets (Cephalochordata) are marine organisms that possess all features of chordates; they are named Cephalochordata because the notochord extends into the head.

What is the example of an animal belonging to sub phylum Cephalochordata?

Option A: Amphioxus, also called Branchiostoma is a member of the Cephalochordata.