Question

How phylum chordata is classified?

Answer 1

Chordata:

1. The phylum Chordata represents the most advanced group of animals.
2. Vertebrates are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomic, and segmented, with complex differentiation of body tissues and organs.

Phylum chordate includes two phyla namely:

1. Group Protochordata or acraniata: Protochordates are an informal category of animals (i.e., not a legitimate taxonomic group) used to designate invertebrates that are closely related to vertebrates. Examples include Salpa, Amphioxus, and Saccoglossus.
2. Group Vertebrata or craniata: Vertebrates are all creatures in the subphylum Vertebrata, which includes all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

Proto chordates are further classified into two sub-phyla namely:

1. Sub-phylum Urochordata: Urochordata is made up of a notochord in the back of the body.
2. Sub-phylum Cephalochordata: Cephalochordata is made up of a notochord that extends to the head region.