Class 11 Biology

Animal Kingdom

PHYLUM CHORDATA

The main features of chordates are the presence of notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord and paired pharyngeal gill slits. The body is bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate. Organ system level of organization is present. Closed circulatory system is present. A post anal tail is present.

Notochord

This is rod-like structure, made up of a substance which is similar to cartilage. Notochord provides structural support to the body and provides various points of attachment for muscles. Notochord plays key role in signalling and coordinating development of other organs.

Phylum Chordata is divided into three subphyla which are as follows:

  1. Urochordata or Tunicata,
  2. Cephalochordata and
  3. Vertebrata.

Subphyla Urochordata and Cephalochordata are usually referred to as protochordates. These are exclusively marine animals.

In Urochordata, notochord is present only in larval tail. The body of these animals is surrounded by a tunic. A loose sleeveless garment which flows upto the knees is called tunic. This phylum is also called tunicata due to presence of tunic-like structure.

In Cephalochordata, the notochord extends from head to tail region and is persistent throughout the life. These are commonly known as lancet. Dictionary meaning of lancet is a small knife with double edge. Lancet is also the name for a surgeon's knife.

Examples of Urochordata: Ascidia, Salpa, Doliolum

Examples of Cephalochordata: Branchiostoma (Amphioxus or Lancelet).

Difference among urochordate, cephalochordate and vertebrate

VERTEBARATA

Notochord is present during the embryonic period only. After that, the notochord is replaced by a cartilaginous or bony vertebral column in the adult.

notochord basic body plan of chordata

A ventral muscular heart is present as the main organ of the circulatory system. The heart can have two, three or four chambers. Kidneys are present for excretion and osmoregulation. Paired appendages are present for locomotion.

ChordatesNon-chordates
Notochord presentNotochord absent
Pharynx is perforated by gill slits.Gill slits absent.
Heart is ventral.Heart is dorsal (if present).
Post anal tail is present.Post anal tail is absent.

Phylum chordata can be divided into two divisions, viz. agnatha and gnathostomata.

There is only one class, Cyclostomata in the division Agnatha. Gnathostomata is divided into two super-classes, viz. pisces and tetrapoda. Fins are present in pisces for locomotion. Four limbs are present in tetrapoda for locomotion. Super-class tetrapoda is further divided into four classes, viz. amphibia, reptilia, aves and mammalia.

CLASS CYCLOSTOMATA

All the existing members of the class Cyclostomata are ectoparasites on some fishes. The body is elongated. There are 6 -15 pairs of gill slits for respiration. A sucking and circular mouth is present. Stoma means mouth, and cyclo means circular. That is why they have been given the name cyclostomi or cyclostomata. The body is devoid of scales and paired fins.

Cranium and vertebral column are composed of cartilage. Closed circulatory system is present.

Reproduction: They are marine animals but migrate to freshwater for spawning. They die within a few days of spawning. The larvae return to the ocean after metamorphosis.

Common Examples: Petromyzon (Lamprey) and Myxine (Hagfish).

CLASS CHONDRICHTHYES

Scoliodon

These are also known as cartilaginous fish because of cartilaginous endoskeleton. These are marine animals. Mouth is ventrally located. Notochord is present throughout the life, which means vertebral column is made of cartilage. Gill slits are separate and operculum (gill cover) is absent. Skin is tough and has minute placoid scales. Placoid scales are dermal teeth which are pointed in one direction only. Teeth are modified placoid scales and are backwardly directed. Jaws are very powerful. These are predaceous animals. Air bladder is absent and hence the animal has to swim constantly to avoid sinking.

There are two chambers in the heart. Some animals of this class have electric organs, e.g. torpedo. Some animals, on the other hand, possess poison sting, e.g. Trygon. They are cold-blooded (poikilothermous) animals, which means these animals cannot control their body temperature.

Reproduction: These are dioecious animals, i.e. male and female animals are different. The pelvic fins in males bear claspers. Fertilization is internal and many of them are viviparous.

Common Examples: Scoliodon (Dog fish), Pristis (Saw fish), Carcharodon (Great white shark), Trygon (Sting ray).