Phylum Chordata

Charactertistics of Chordates All chordates possess a notochord. Long felxable rod between gut & nerve cord Runs most of length of animal Possess a dorsal, hollow, nerve cord Possess pharangeal slits Muscular post-anal tail

Urochordates
Subphylum Urochordata Commonly called turnicates Sessile marine animals as adults - Motile as larva Larva possess a clear notochord which is less evident in adults Filter feed through use of siphon

Subphylum Cephalochordata
Commonly known as lancets Have all features of the ideal chordate Bury selves in sand, and filter-feed through mouth

Phylum Chordata: The Vertebrates

Subphylum Vertebrata Seven extant classes First 3 commonly called fishes Remaining 4 called tetrapods (4 feet) All possess some form of segmented vertebra

Class Agnatha
Commonly known as Jawless Fish Include hagfish & Lampreys Lack paired appendages Lack bony skeleton Lack jaws
Usually have circular sucking mouthparts

Lampreys parasitize other fish

Lampreys

Hagfish

Class Chondrichthyes
Include sharks & skates, & rays Very successful class Called cartilagenous fishes because skeleton is cartilage not bone Approx. 750 species Have paired appendages Many have acute senses Sharks have a lateral-line system Allows shark to detect water pressure changes

Sharks

Noteworthy Shark Species

Great White Shark Tiger Shark

Whale Shark

Bull Shark

Rays & Skates

Manta Ray

Southern Stingray

Skates

Class Osteichthes
Called Bony fish Most diverse of all fish Have skeleton made of bone Have Cycloid Scales Have paired fins Allowed evolution of 4 limbed amphibians (tetrapods) Possess scales for protection Have bony flap called operculum
Allows water to be drawn over gills by fins Gas content can be manipulated allowing for changes in bouyancy

Have Swim bladder

Bluefish

Class Amphibia
First vertebrates to inhabit land Most are 4 limbed (tetrapods) Include frogs, salamanders & caecilians Have 3 chambered heart Have more complicated gas exchange organs (often a combination of lungs, gills and skin)

Order Urodela
(Salamanders & Newts) Urodela ("tailed ones" - Salamanders) More dependent on water Many species possess gills as adults

Class Apoda
("tail-less ones" - Frogs & toads)
Have more developed lungs than salamanders
Lack a diaphragm & must swallow air

Most diverse and common of amphibians. Toads are the first amphibians to evolve keratinized skin.
This waterproofs the skin preventing water loss

Toads must still return to water to lay eggs.

Common North American Frogs

North American Toad

Green Frog

Bullfrog

Poison Arrow Frog Leopard Frog Peepers

Caecilia ("legless ones")

Reproduction
Lack internal fertilization & amniotic eggs Reproduction must occur in H2O Most species undergo metamorphosis
Larval stage (tadpole) is usually an aquatic herbavore Lacks legs, respiration is through gills Develops into tetrapod adult (usually carnivorous)

Class Reptilia
Includes lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodilians Over 7000 species Possess several advanced features over amphibians Most adaptations towards independence from H2O Possess scales containing keratin Keratin is a waterproofing protein which prevents water loss in an organism Possess an amniotic egg.
Prevents water loss of embryo. Allows for eggs to be laid on dry land

Combined with internal fertilization, allows reptiles to reproduce independently of water Reptiles are "cold blooded" or ectotherms
Cannot internally regulate body temperatures Reptiles can regulate body temperatures behaviorally (eg. Basking or swimming) Nutritional requirements are lower than warm blooded animals

The Amniotic Egg

Modern Reptiles
Order Chelonia (Turtles & Tortoises)
Inhabit aquatic and terrestrial environment. Are herbavores, carnivores, and omnivores Characterized by possessing a hard dorsal shell Made from bone, extensions of backbone and rib cage

Common North American Turtles

Order Squamata
Order Squamata (Lizards & Snakes) Most numerous & diverse of the reptiles Most relatively small Although monitors and their relatives can grow to 6' in length Herbivores, carnivores & omnivores Most able to exhibit some form of hibernation

Noteworthy Lizards

Eastern Fence Lizard

Komodo Dragon

Leopard Gecko

Anole

North American Snakes

Order Crocodilia
(Crocodiles, Alligators, & Caimans)
Largest extant reptiles can grow to over 15 and weigh over a ton Primarily aquatic they are true reptiles Inhabit warm, tropical climates Order most closely related to the dinosaurs

Crocodilians

Crocodile

Alligator

Caiman

Gavail

Class Aves
(The Birds)
Evolved from dinosaurs during Mezozoic era. Aminotic eggs and scales on legs reminants of reptilian origins Almost all adaptations of these animals are made for flight. Presence of feathers
Made of keratin Can be used for insulation and flight

Forelimbs developed into wings Honeycombed, light bone structure

Feathers

Beak Types
Absence of some organs
Females usually have 1 ovary Absence of teeth lighten head Replaced by gizzard in abdomen & beak Proven very adaptable structure, having a variety of shapes for differing diets

Beak made of keratin

Reproduction
Reproduction is through hardened amniotic eggs Since birds are endothermic, these must be kept warm by parents This behavior called brooding

Birds Feet

Modern Birds
Over 8600 species & 20 orders of birds Classified into 2 general groups Flightless species including ostrich, emus, & kiwis are known as ratites Lack sternal keel on breastbone Lack strong breast muscles needed for flight

Ostrich: A ratite

Modern birds contd.

Other species capable of supporting flight called carinates 60% are "perching birds" called passeriforms Possess a sternal keel on breastbone Support strong breast muscles required for flight
The sparrow: A passeriform carinate

Class mammalia
Approx. 4500 species of mammals Evolved from mammal-like reptiles called therapsids in the triassic period Diversified greatly following the extinction of dinosaurs Mammilian Characteristics
Have Hair
Made of keratin Aids in maintaining body temperature

Endothermic
Maintain body temperature internally

Have efficient respiratory system including a diaphragm Efficient circulatory system with a 4-chambered heart Most possess placentas and give birth to live young Have mammary glands to produce milk for offspring All show parental care of offspring Have largest brains of all vertebrates Have differentiated teeth
Unlike earlier vertebrates, several different teeth can exist in mammal jaws Eg. The molars & incisors in the human jaw

General Types of Mammals

Monotremes
Early branch from reptilian line Include platypuses & echidnas (spiny anteaters) Only group to lay eggs (reptilian in structure) Have mammary glands to feed young

Duck Billed Platypus

Echidna

Marsupials
Include opossums, kangaroos & koalas Mostly found in Australia & New Zealand
Were isolated in these landmasses when the continents separated and did not evolve li the same way placental mammals did

Do not develop placentas Give birth to young very early Fetuses complete development in pouch called marsupium Mammary glands found in pouch nourish young until development is complete

Examples of marsupials

Koala Opossum

Kangaroo

Placental Mammals
Complete embryonic development in uterus Joined to parent by organ called placenta
Only "disposable" mammal organ Discarded following birth Exchanges gasses, nutrients & waste between mother and fetus

Common North American Mammals 1

Common North American Mammals 2