PHYLUM

CHORDATA

 Can be distinguished from the rest of the

animals due to the presence of a dorsal
tubular nerve cord that extends
throughout the entire the length of the
animal body.
Notochord- flexible longitudinal rod
composed of tissue located between the
nerve cord and the digestive tract.
Pharyngeal Slits- series of openings that
may be used for filter feeding and for
gaseous exchange.
Post anal Tail extends posteriorly beyond
the anal opening and may be supported

 Chordates are tridermic, coelomates, and

bilaterally symmetrical animal.
Chordates are divided into two distinct
groups:
Invertebrate chordates:
Urochordates- tunicates and sea
squirts. They have siphons that are
openings for the entrance and exit of
water.

 Cephalochordates
Lancelets
Elongated, transparent and blade-like
appearance.
Notochord extends from their head
region up to the tail end.

VERTEBRATE
CHORDATES

Most diverse and successful

chordates.
The vertebral column is made up
of several pieces of bones called
vertebrae.
High degree of Cephalization.
Presence of paired appendages,
which the animal uses for moving

THE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF

VERTEBRATE CHORDATES

FISHES
Fishes are vertebrates found in salty,
fresh, cold or even hot water.
Most have scales for protection,
paired fins for movement and gills
for gas exchange.
May lay eggs to reproduce or give
birth to live young.
Cold-blooded

CLASS AGNATHA
A= without; Gnathos=jaw
Considered primitive fish like marine chordates.
Lack paired appendages (fins) and jaws.
Lamprey, has a round mouth that is toothed and
well adapted for sucking the blood from the fishes
bodies.
Vampire of the Ocean

CLASS CHONDRICHTHYES
Chondros=cartilage; ichthyes=fish
Group of cartilaginous fishes
Sharks, skates, stingrays.
Have flexible skeleton composed of
cartilage tissue.
Some of them eat floating planktons.
Poor eyesight, keen sense of smell and
a lateral line system located along the
sides of their bodies which contains
rows of pressure sensitive cells that
enable them to detect swimming

CLASS OSTEICHTHYES
Osteon=bone; ichthyes=fish

Class of bony fishes

Endoskeleton made of hard,
calcium material, called bone.
Have jaws, mouth lined with
sharp teeth, a keen sense of
smell, powerful eyesight, and
the lateral line system.

CLASS AMPHIBIA
Amphi=double; bio=life

Chordates that can live both

on land and in water
Most lay small, shell less eggs
surrounded by jellylike
substance in moist places or in
water.
Have moist skin to help the

 Exothermic animals; their body

temperature varies depending on
where they are.
Divided into three groups: Caecilians,
Salamanders, Frog&Toads.
Caecilians: live in water or bury
themselves in moist soil.

 Salamanders: live in forest

floors under rocks and
decaying logs.

 Frogs and Toads: jump, can

leap and attach to tree

trunks or branches.
Toads are terrestrial and can
even survive in hot places or
desert.
Frogs have smooth skin
while toads have rough or
warty skin.

CLASS REPTILIA
Repatos=creep
Animals that exhibit more adaptations for
living on land.
Thick and tough skin forms a barrier to
excessive water loss in the environment.
Their egg is covered with shell, it contains
the YOLK, a material that nourishes the
embryo and a protective sac called
AMNION that covers the embryo as it
undergoes development.

 Lizards and snakes: smooth scales.

 Crocodiles and alligators.

Alligators live in freshwater. Crocodiles live in fresh
and salty waters.
Crocodylus mindorensis (Philippine Crocodile)
Crocodylus porosus (saltwater crocodile)

 Turtles and tortoises are enclosed in a shell.

Their head, legs and tail are pulled inside this shell
for protection against predators
Tortoises- land
Turtles- water

CLASS AVES
Adapted to fly.
Presence of wings, feathers, large flight
muscles in the breast bone and reduced
weight.
Weigh less because their bones are
light and hollow filled with air.
Birds also have eggs with shells and the
legs are covered with scales.
Body temperature remains the same
despite varying environmental
temperature due to insulation provided

 Birds have bills or beaks, and in coordination

CLASS MAMMALIA
Have mammary
glands that

produce milk to nourish their

young.
Most have hair or fur.
Breathe in air.
Have four-chambered hearts.
Warm-blooded
Most of them also give birth to live
young and care for them.

MONOTREMES
Lay eggs similar of those birds.
The breasts of echidna and platypus
lack nipples, the young simply licks up
the milk that flows into the mothers
thick fur.
The presence of thick fur that covers
the body and mammary glands secrete
milk are the two characteristics which
taxonomists use as bases in classifying
monotremes as mammals.
Duckbilled platypus, Spiny anteater

MARSUPIALS
Pouched mammals also give

birth to young.
After birth, the young are kept
inside pouches and are
nourished with the milk from
the mammary glands within
these pouches.
Opossum, kangaroos, koalas,

EUTHERIANS
Comprise the largest group of mammals.
Placental mammals
Bear fully developed young inside the
mothers uterus.
These young are attached to the
placenta through which they receive
their nourishment until they are born.
After birth, they continue to be cared for
and nourished by milk from the
mammary glands.