Key Points As chordates, vertebrates have the same common features: a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail. Vertebrates are further differentiated from chordates by their vertebral column, which forms when their notochord develops into the column of bony vertebrae separated by discs.
Vertebrates are the only chordates that have a brain as part of their central nervous system. Key Terms vertebral column : the series of vertebrae that protect the spinal cord; the spinal column chordate : a member of the phylum Chordata; numerous animals having a notochord at some stage of their development; in vertebrates this develops into the spine notochord : a flexible rodlike structure that forms the main support of the body in the lowest chordates; a primitive spine.
Characteristics of Vertebrates Vertebrates are members of the subphylum Vertebrata, under the phylum Chordata and under the kingdom Animalia. Vertebrates are differentiated by having a vertebral column.
Vertebrates include amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds, as well as the jawless fishes, bony fishes, sharks, and rays. Anatomy and Morphology All vertebrates are built along the basic chordate body plan: a stiff rod running through the length of the animal vertebral column , with a hollow tube of nervous tissue the spinal cord above it and the gastrointestinal tract below.
The Vertebral Column Vertebrates are defined by the presence of the vertebral column. Grow a Pollinator Sanctuary. Mosquito and Tick Season Survival Guide. How a Mistake Became an Opportunity. Take the Plunge, Become a Beekeeper! Meet Rosie without Leaving your School or Home! The Colorado Hairstreak Hypaurotis crysalus. A Response to Article: Why insect populations are plummeting — and why it matters. Butterflies and Birthdays. Monarchs: Are the Numbers Up or Down?
Meet Our Animal and Plant Scientists. Bee Fencing to Protect People and Elephants. A Cure for Winter Doldrums. CSU and Butterfly Pavilion expand their support of interns and their research impact. Inspiring Environmental Stewardship. We're inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. Visit Colorado's Invertebrate Zoo to see impressive toxic terrors. Environmental Education: Making Magical Connections.
We Believe in the Power of Invertebrates. Summer Events in Full Bloom. Dragonfly Research at High Altitude. New Media. New Experiences. It's incredible what a team can pull together with a little bit of passion. In effect, the uterus functions as the protective eggshell.
Young mammals spend a long period of their early development within their mother's uterus. After birth, they are provided with protein and fat rich milk to eat and are usually protected until maturity. Pregnancy and milk production require mothers to significantly increase their own calorie consumption in order to provide nutrients for their infant s. Despite their success, mammals still only make up about. It is humbling to realize that all chordates together are only just over 3.
All rights reserved. Ray class Chondrichthyes and bony fish class Osteichthyes. Salamander and frog class Amphibia. Tortoise, snake, and lizard class Reptilia Amniote egg. Birds class Aves. Mammalian heterodontism. Mammalian mother and her baby. Tortoise, snake, and lizard class Reptilia. Previous Topic. Return to Menu. Practice Quiz. Next Topic. You would probably say a reptile, like a lizard. But they tell you it did not have scales, but feathers. Can you guess what it must be?
Animal Three You are also told about an animal with a backbone with no legs that lays eggs, but is definitely not a snake. You would probably say a fish. However, this strange creature lives on land, has scales, and lays eggs on the dry land.
Animal Four The islanders also tell you about an animal that lives its whole life in the water and has gills. You are wrong! It is not a fish! They tell you that it lays eggs in the water, does not have a larval stage but is born as a small version of an adult of the species. Guess again? It can't be an amphibian, as it does not have a larval stage. No, it has gills.
Reptiles breathe with lungs. Carefully check the description and click here. Animal Five The final animal that you are told about is rather strange, indeed. It has a backbone, swims in the water and lays eggs. You might think that it is a fish or an amphibian, or even a reptile or bird. They all lay eggs and some of each group swims. You really can't guess yet. They tell you it has claws and a bill like a duck.
You might think it is a bird. Then they tell you it has no feathers. That rules out a bird. What's left? A fish, an amphibian, or a reptile, but this is strange. A fish with a bill like a duck? Then they tell you it breathes air, and its eggs are laid on the ground. That rules out what? A fish. But they tell you it is warm blooded, and nurses its young with milk.
Boy, you are in a quandary now! What class would a vertebrate be in? Reptilia's webpage on teaching the five classes to fifth graders is nice. Smithsonian's Vertebrate webpage is for fairly advanced students.
The WebQuest page on vertebrates is an interactive learning tool and quite nice. The photo of Coho eggs is from a newsletter of Kalles Junior High. The garter snake photo is from Gerry M. Serianni's webpage on his geneology. The Steller's Jay and robin are from a webpage on insect-eating birds posted by the Federal government. The dodo bird is from the WebQuest site, cited under References. Coho Salmon. Photo by DLNelson, at camp, Photo by DLNelson, November 9, , but not at camp.
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