Characteristics of Phylum Chordata

 

 

 

1.- Bilateral symmetry; segmented body; three germ layers; welldeveloped coelom.

 

2.- Notochord (a skeletal rod) present at some stage in the life cycle.

 

3.-Single, dorsal, tubular nerve cord; anterior end of cord usually enlarged to form brain.

 

4.- Pharyngeal pouches present at some stage in the life cycle; in aquatic chordates these develop into pharyngeal slits.

 

 5.- Endostyle in floor of pharynx or a thyroid gland derived from the endostyle.

 

6.- Postanal tail projecting beyond the anus at some stage but may or may not persist.

 

7.-Complete digestive system.

 

8.- Segmentation, if present, restricted to outer body wall, head, and tail and not extending into coelom

 

 

Referense:

Integrated principles of zoology / Cleveland P. Hickman, Jr. ... [et al.]. – 14th ed. p. cm.