PHYLUM CHORDATA

 

 

Humans, for example, are a part of the phylum Chordata; these organisms are vertebrates and hence have a backbone. 

However, some animals in the Chordata Phylum are not considered vertebrates and instead have a backbone-like structure. [64]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The phylum Chordata contains all of the vertebrate animals that exist, as well as a few of the invertebrate ones. Though all members of this phylum have certain common structures, these can be present forever or go away as it leaves the embryo stage. [25] 

 

These structures include haryngeal slits, which could be used as gills; these are essentially openings in the throat that connect to the neck of the organism. Though gills are present in other chordates, it is notably a feature of fish. [25]

 

Another common characteristic of chordates is the presence of a dorsal nerve cord; this is a bundle of nerve fibers that runs down the top of the animal, connecting it to the brain with the muscles and other organs. [25]

 

The third characteristic present in members of the Chordata Phylum is a notochord, rod running underneath the skin which supports the nerve cord. [25]

 

Lastly, the fourth characteristic present in members of the Chordata Phylum is a post-anal tail. This is an extension of the body past the anal opening. [25] 

 

An example of a Chordate is the Bottlenose dolphin.

 

About the Bottlenose Dolphin:

From the family Delphinidae, it can be found in tropical and temperate oceans all over the world. [56]

 

The Bottlenose Dolphin averages 6 to 13 feet in length and 300 to 1400 pounds of weight. [56]

 

Though they have a poor sense of smell, they have excellent eyesight and well-developed sense of taste. [56]

 

Did you know...?

 

Bottlenose dolphins can learn many tricks thanks to its large brain - they are very intelligent animals. This could include the impressive ability to detect mines and even enemy divers in the water. [56]

 

They use echolocation to find food and avoid obstacles in the water. This is a mechanism that produces clicks (it is the noise that they make - they are able to produce 1000 clicks in just one second!) and gets information about size, shape and type of objects in the water based on the reflected sound. [56]

 

Though Bottlenose dolphins are marine animals, they must reach the surface to breathe. For this reason, they sleep with only one half of its brain at rest to prevent them from drowning. [56]

 

They can survive for up to 40 years (in the wild, that is.) [56]