Question

Modern representatives of an ancient link between the echinoderms and the chordates is represented by

• A. Hemichordata
• B. Urochordata
• C. Cephalochordata
• D. Vertebrata

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Hemichordata

• The hemichordates are the organisms having certain similar features when compared to the chordates.
• They are deuterostomes with pharyngeal gill slits and most have a dorsal nerve cord.
• Hemichordates have evolutionary links with both the chordates and echinoderms like starfish, sea urchins etc.
• The glomerulus of hemichordates is considered homologous to the axial gland of echinoderms.
• Echinoderm larva is bilateral which is similar to the larval stage of hemichordates
  

Thus, the correct answer is option A.