All members of the Phylum Chordata have the following characteristics:

• Bilateral symmetry (equal halves)
• A segmented body, including segmented muscles, etc.
• Three germ layers and a well-developed coelom.
• A single, dorsal, hollow nerve cord, usually with an enlarged anterior end (brain).
• A tail projecting beyond (posterior to) the anus at some stage of development.
• Pharyngeal pouches present at some point in development.
• A ventral heart, with dorsal and ventral blood vessels and a closed blood system.
• A complete digestive system.
• A bony or cartilaginous endoskeleton is usually present.

Definitions

1. Bilateral Symmetry- body plan in which only a single, imaginary line can divide the body into two equal halves; characteristics of worms, arthropods, and chordates
2. Coelom- a fluid filled body cavity lined with mesoderm
3. Pharyngeal pouch- one of a pair of structures in the throat region of a chordate
4. Endoskeleton- structural support located inside the body of an animal

Contributors

Myers, P. 2001. "Chordata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 22, 2008 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chordata.html.