{"id":84315,"date":"2020-10-30T09:00:33","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T03:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/data-flair.training\/blogs\/?p=84315"},"modified":"2021-04-01T12:53:11","modified_gmt":"2021-04-01T07:23:11","slug":"phylum-chordata-animalia-kingdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/data-flair.training\/blogs\/phylum-chordata-animalia-kingdom\/","title":{"rendered":"Phylum Chordata – Characteristics, Classification And Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"

Phylum Chordata is one of the classifications of Kingdom Animalia. The main feature of Chordata is the presence of a notochord, hollow nerve cord, and paired pharyngeal gill. They are bilaterally symmetric with an internal cavity for true organs.<\/span><\/p>\n

They have an organization level cell arrangement and closed circulatory system with a tail and post. There are three subphylums – Urochordata, Cephalochordata, and Vertebrata. The first two are simple in nature when compared to complex vertebrates.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is because vertebrates have more subclasses and features to look at.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Classification<\/a><\/p>\n

Classification of Phylum Chordata<\/h2>\n

The first two subphylums are marine and are protochordate. <\/span>Urochordata <\/b>have notochord present in the larval tail only. And <\/span>Cephalochordata <\/b>has notochord in the entire body. Some examples of Chordata are Ascidia, Salpa, Doliolum, and Amphioxus.<\/span><\/p>\n

The common elements in all chordates are – a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, are triploblastic and coelomate. The vertebrates are the last classification of phylum Chordata. They have subclasses under them on the basis of different criteria like blood and metabolic activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s look at all the subclasses in detail with some important concepts around vertebrates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Difference between\u00a0 Chordates and Non-chordates<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Chordates<\/b><\/td>\nNon-chordates<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Presence of Notochord\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAbsence of Notochord<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dorsal, hollow, and single nervous system<\/span><\/td>\nVentral, solid, and double nervous system<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Presence of gill slits<\/span><\/td>\nAbsence of Gill slits<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ventral Heart<\/span><\/td>\nDorsal Heart<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tail is present\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nTail is absent\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Phylum Vertebrata<\/span><\/h2>\n

The animals under this classification have vertebral columns and internal skeleton. There is a proper distribution of muscle attachment for movement. They have a notochord during the embryonic stage. Later cartilaginous replace it in the adult phase.<\/span><\/p>\n

All chordates are not necessarily vertebrates as some can easily fit under the other two subphylums. Most vertebrates have a muscular heart with 4 chambers, a proper excretion system, and proper limbs.<\/span><\/p>\n

They are bilaterally symmetric and triploblastic. They also have internal cavities for true organs with complex body tissues and organs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Below is the flow chart of different levels of animalia kingdom:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Important Vertebrates Concepts\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Viviparous and Oviparous Animals<\/span><\/h3>\n

The reproduction process is sexual or asexual. And the birth-giving process can include laying eggs or giving natural birth to young ones. Viviparous animals give birth to young ones directly. While the oviparous animals lay eggs for the same process.<\/span><\/p>\n

The process of metamorphosis in some organisms often leads to changed physical attributes in the young ones. Caterpillar is an example of the metamorphosis cycle. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Warm-Blooded<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Cold Blooded Animals<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Most of the mammals and birds are warm-blooded animals<\/td>\nAll the reptiles, insects, arachnids, amphibians, and fish are cold-blooded animals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Their body does not change according to the external environment.<\/td>\nTheir body changes according to the external environment.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
They can survive in different environments because of controlled body temperature<\/td>\nThey cannot survive in different environments. For eg a mountain animal will not survive in desserts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Their food intake is higher in order to maintain body temperature.<\/td>\nTheir food intake is lower as it converts to body mass.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
They are active in both warm and cool surrounding<\/td>\nThey act only in a warm surrounding<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sweating helps them to remain cool like elephants use their ear to do so. Some birds migrate to warmer regions in winters. Ad mammals have fur to stay warm. They can use shivering to generate heat in cold weather.<\/td>\nThey increase their metabolism by going to the sun. and bees or dragonflies shiver to remain warm.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The parasites and viruses can easily live on them because of warmness.<\/td>\nChanging temperature makes it tough for parasites to survive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Hibernation<\/span><\/h3>\n

It is a stage in which the animals become inactive and metabolically depressed. It is common in endotherms like bears and rodents and ectotherms like snakes and turtles. This behavior is most common during harsh winter seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

They locate themselves in places like den, burrow, or any shelter before hibernating. Often animals go under true hibernation that makes it tough for them to wake up because of temperature drop.<\/span><\/p>\n

Warm-blooded animals like bears hibernate in winters mostly. They live on stored food body fat with low body temperature. They usually eat a large amount of food before this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Class \u2013 Cyclostomata<\/span><\/h2>\n