Chordata Vertebrates

Fishes

Amphibians

Reptiles

Birds

Mammals

BodyPlanImportantgeneralcharacteristics

Jaw(Therearejawlessfishes)Endoskeleton–powerfulmusclesattachtobones.Poikilotherms

Strongendoskeleton.Poikilotherms.

Bodycoveredwithscales.ClawedToesEctothermicmetabolism.Nofeathersorhair.Poikylotherms.

FeetcoveredwithscalesBodycoveredwithfeathers–trapheatandhelpinflightBeakandShortTailEndotherms

Endotherms.Hair.Specializedteeth–herbivores:large,flatmolars;carnivores:long,sharpcanines

Locomotion

PairedFinsSwimBladder–controlsbuoyancyStreamlineshape;musculartail

LegsLimbsadaptedforfunction

StrongendoskeletonLegsunderbody

WingsHollowbones

Run,hop,climb,swim,burrow,fly

NervousSystem

Eyes–detectlightNostrils–senseodorsTastebuds,innerearLateralline–senseswatermovement

Developedeyesandears–witheardrum

HighlydevelopedvisionGoodhearingJacobson’sorgan–tastingPitorgan-Heat-sensing

Usevision,hearing,taste,smellandtouchtonavigate–theimportanceofasensedependsonlifestyle

Usevision,hearing,taste,smellandtouchtonavigate–theimportanceofasensedependsonlifestyle

Reproduction

Sexually–externalfertilizationSpawningSharks,skates,rays–internalfertilization

Eggsarenotwatertight,sotheymustreproduceinawetareaExternalandinternalfertilization

Amniotic,water-tighteggs.InternalfertilizationLeatheryshell

Amnioticeggs.Internalfertilization.HardshellCareforeggsandyoung

Producemilkinmammaryglands.GestationperiodMonotremes–duckbillplatypusMarsupials–possum,koalaPlacentalmammals–developcompletelyinsidemotherbeforebirth

Circulation

Closed-loopcirculationSimplechamberpumpheart/2chambers

Double-LoopCirculation;partiallydividedheart

Heartwithpartiallydividedventricle3C.Crocodiles4C

Chamberedheartseparatesdeoxygenatedbloodfromoxygenatedblood(4C).Fastheartbeat

Four-chamberedheartwithdividedsections(4C).

Respiration

Gills

Larvaehavegills,butadultshavelungsCutaneousrespiration–oxygenobtainedacrossthin,wetskin

DevelopedLungswithlargesurfaceareaCannotbreathethroughskin

Lungswithlargesurfacearea.One-wayairflowthroughairsacs

Large,efficientlungsaidedbythediaphragmmuscle

Fishes

Amphibians

Reptiles

Birds

Mammals

OtherdefiningCharacteristics

MostancientofallthevertebratesKidney–organthatregulatesfish’ssaltandwaterbalanceandremoveswastesfromtheblood;producesurineGillsalsoreleasewastes

MustliveinmoisthabitatsCarnivoresasadultsMetamorphosis

Firstvertebratestolivecompletelyonland.Cannottoleratecoldweather

Higherbodytemperaturethanmammals–fastmetabolismforflight.Fastdigestion.Beakadaptedtofeedondifferentfood.

Hairfunctionsasinsulation,camouflage,advertisingtootheranimals,sensory

Examples

JawlessFish–hagfishesandlampreys;CartilaginousFish–sharks,skates,rays;BonyFish–verydiverseandwidespread

Salamanders,Caecilians,FrogsandToads

Snakes,lizards,turtle,tortoises,crocodilescrocodiles,

Perchingbirds,birdsofprey,flightlessbirds,divingbirds,waterbirds,wadingbirds

Monkey,dolphin,mouse,donkey,cat,armadillo,pandabear,possum,elephant