Chordata

• Member of the Deuterostomia
• Most basal branch: Cephalochordata
  • Barely has a central nervous system
  • 5 synapomorphies
    • notochord
    • dorsal hollow nerve cord
    • endostyle
    • pharyngeal slits
    • post-anal tail
  • Invertebrate
• Main branch
  • Urochordata
  • Vertebrata
• First Chordates appeared in the Cambrian

Taxonomy

• Chordata
  • Cephalochordata
  • Olfactores
    • Urochordata
    • Vertebrata
      • Jawless Fishes
        • Hagfishes
        • Lampreys
      • Gnathostomata