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WELCOME TO THE PHYLUM CHORDATA ! //Let the fun adventure begin!// //By Carl Salomson, Stanley Hou, Chelsi Ampawa//  //Group C//   //Period 3-4// = = = Chordata = The Chordata (a.k.a. Chordates) is a phylum that includes many diverse vertebrates and invertebrates. They are all classified under this phylum by having, for at least some period of their life cycles, a notochord, pharyngeal slits, a hollow dorsal nerve cord, an endostyle, and a post-anal tail.

The chordate phylum consists of 3 subphyla: Tunicata (tunicates), Cephalochordata (lancelets), and Craniata (includes vertebrata). Tunicates have both a notochord and a nerve cord which are lost in adulthood. Cephalochordates have a notochord and a nerve cord, but no brain or specialist sensory organs. They have a very simple circulatory system. Craniates are the only chordata to have skulls. In all craniates, except for hagfish, the dorsal hollow nerve cord is surrounded with cartilaginous or bony vertebrae and the size of the notochord is generally decreased.

All the earliest chordate fossils have been found in the Early Cambrian Chengjiang fauna, and include two species regarded as fish. This implies that they are vertebrates. = = home Bibliography Ciona Intestinalis Emperor Penguins Emu Galapagos Tortoise Manta Rays Megalodicopia hians Platypus Sea Lampreys Sea Pineapple, Common Sea Squirt