What are the classes of Cephalochordata?

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

How many classes are in Cephalochordata?

The subphylum cephalochordata possesses around thirty species in two families, making it the smallest phyla in the animal kingdom. Branchiostoma of the family Branchiostomatidae is the most common genus of the subphylum.

What are the characteristics of cephalochordates?

Cephalochordates possess 5 synapomorphies, or primary characteristics, that all chordates have at some point during their larval or adulthood stages. These 5 synapomorphies include a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, endostyle, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail (see chordate for descriptions of each).

Is Cephalochordata a member of the phylum Chordata?

1.03. 1 Introduction. Urochordates, cephalochordates, and vertebrates, which include agnathans and gnathostomes, are the three members of the phylum Chordata.

What do you mean by Cephalochordata?

Cephalochordates are small fish like marine chordates with unpaired dorsal fins. The notochord extends throughout the entire length of the body.

What is notochord How are animals classified according to notochord?

Notochord is a mesodermally derived rod-like structure formed on the dorsal side during embryonic development in some animals. Animals with notochord are called chordates and those animals which do not form this structure are called non-chordates, e.g., porifera to echinoderms. 4.2 CLASSIFICATION OF ANIMALS.

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 an example of a Cephalochordata?

Cephalochordate/Lower classifications

What is the common name for Urochordates?

The Urochordata, sometimes known as the Tunicata, are commonly known as “sea squirts.” The body of an adult tunicate is quite simple, being essentially a sack with two siphons through which water enters and exits.

Is Branchiostoma a amphioxus?

Amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) is a small cephalochordate that spends much of its time buried in the sand. It is one of the closest now living relatives to vertebrates. Amphioxus shares several features with vertebrates like a dorsal, hollow nerve cord, notochord, segmental muscles and pharyngeal gill slits.

What are the 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.

Why are cephalochordates called amphioxus?

Known as lancelets or as amphioxus (from the Greek for “both [ends] pointed,” in reference to their shape), cephalochordates are small, eel-like, unprepossessing animals that spend much of their time buried in sand.

Do cephalochordates have notochord?

In the lancelet and other cephalochordates, the notochord extends into the head region. Adult lancelets retain all five key characteristics of chordates: a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, an endostyle, and a post-anal tail. The lancelets are named for their bladelike shape.

What are the 4 main characteristics of the phylum Chordata?

“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.

What are the 4 basic characteristics of the phylum Chordata?

Animals in the phylum Chordata share four key features: a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail.

What are the 8 classes of Chordata?

Phylum – Chordata – Division In Vertebrata: Cyclostomata, Pisces, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes, Amphibia, Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, Mammalia.

What are the 10 characteristics of phylum Chordata?

Characteristic Features of Phylum Chordata

They are bilaterally symmetrical and triploblastic. Chordates are coelomate and show an organ system level of organisation. They have the characteristic notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits. In this phylum, the nervous system is dorsal, hollow and single.

What are 5 examples of chordates?

Pandas, crows, sharks, salamanders, alligators, sea squirts, and many others are examples of chordates. So, in essence, to answer the question, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals comprise which group? — the answer is simply they belong to the phylum Chordata.

What are the general classification of chordates?

Chordates are divided into three subphyla: Vertebrata (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals); Tunicata or Urochordata (sea squirts, salps); and Cephalochordata (which includes lancelets).

What are the 8 Phylums of vertebrates?

They are as follows:
  • Class Aves.
  • Class Reptilia.
  • Class Agnatha.
  • Class Amphibia.
  • Class Mammalia.
  • Class Osteichthyes.
  • Class Chondrichthyes.