Abdi Vertebrate Zoo

1) Discuss the general characteristics of vertebrates
(5mks)
 Vertebral Column: One of the defining features of vertebrates is their backbone, which
is composed of individual vertebrae stacked on top of each other. This structure provides
support, flexibility, and protection for the spinal cord.
 Bilateral Symmetry: Vertebrates typically exhibit bilateral symmetry, meaning their

bodies can be divided into two mirror-image halves along a central axis.
 Internal Skeleton: Vertebrates have an internal skeleton made of bone or cartilage. This
skeleton provides support for the body, anchors muscles, and protects internal organs.
 Closed Circulatory System: Most vertebrates have a closed circulatory system, where
blood is contained within vessels and pumped by a heart. This system allows for efficient
transport of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body.
 Advanced Nervous System: Vertebrates have a well-developed nervous system,

including a brain enclosed within a protective skull. They typically have complex sensory
organs, such as eyes, ears, and a well-developed sense of touch.
 Endoskeleton: Vertebrates possess an endoskeleton, meaning their skeletal structure is

located internally. This provides greater protection and support compared to exoskeletons
found in some invertebrates.
 Vertebrate Groups: Vertebrates encompass a wide range of animals, including fish,

amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Each group has its own unique characteristics
and adaptations to different environments.
 Homeothermy or Heterothermy: Many vertebrates are capable of regulating their body

temperature. Some, like mammals and birds, are endothermic (homeothermic), meaning
they can maintain a relatively constant internal temperature regardless of external
conditions. Others, like reptiles and amphibians, are ectothermic (heterothermic),
meaning their body temperature fluctuates with the temperature of their environment.
 Respiratory System: Vertebrates have a variety of respiratory organs and mechanisms,

including lungs, gills, and skin respiration, adapted to their specific habitats and
lifestyles.
 Reproduction: Vertebrates reproduce sexually, with well-developed reproductive

organs. Many species exhibit internal fertilization, although there are exceptions, such as
most fish, which typically fertilize eggs externally.
2) Explain the evolution of Chordates
(10mks)
Chordates are a type of animal subcategory or phylum that includes all vertebrates, including
humans, and many non-vertebrates as well. Learn the features and evolution of chordates to
include craniates, vertebrates, jaws, lungs, limbs, and tetrapods, and amniotes.
Evolution of Chordates
The fossil record of chordates begins in the early Cambrian period, roughly 530 million years
ago. The oldest known chordate fossil was found in China and described in 1995. It is a member
of the species Yunnanozoon lividium, within the subphylum Cephalochordata. The earliest
fossil evidence for members of the vertebrate subphylum also dates back roughly 530 million
years. This is when fossils of the jawless fish first appeared.
The earliest tetrapods (having four legs) are the amphibians, with fossils dating back to the
Devonian period, roughly 363 million years ago. Shortly thereafter, reptile-like tetrapods arose.
It was some time after the appearance of reptiles, approximately 80 million years,
that mammals entered the scene. The first mammalian fossils date back to the Triassic period,
about 208 million years ago. Finally, bird fossils appear 146 million years ago in the Jurassic
period.
Chordate evolution, like that of arthropods, includes major habitat transitions. The earliest
chordates were all marine animals like tunicates and lancelets. As chordates continued to
evolve, they spread to freshwater habitats and ultimately to land. The amphibians represent an
intermediate phase in the water to land transition of chordates. The evolution of birds further
increased the distribution of chordates by expanding their populations into aerial habitats.
overview of the evolution of chordates
1. Pre-Chordate Ancestors (Ediacaran Period - Cambrian Explosion)
 The origins of chordates can be traced back to the late Ediacaran period and the
Cambrian explosion (around 540-485 million years ago).
 Fossil evidence suggests that chordates evolved from a group of primitive marine
organisms known as deuterostomes, which also gave rise to echinoderms (like
starfish and sea urchins) and hemichordates (like acorn worms).
 Early chordate ancestors likely resembled small, worm-like organisms that lived
in marine environments.
2. First Chordates (Early Cambrian)

 The earliest known chordates appeared in the early Cambrian period, around 525
million years ago.
 These early chordates, such as Pikaia, were small, fish-like organisms with a
notochord and other basic chordate characteristics.
 They were likely bottom-dwelling filter feeders, using their notochord for support
and movement.
3. Diversification and Adaptation (Ordovician - Devonian)
 Throughout the Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian periods (485-358 million

years ago), chordates underwent significant diversification and adaptation.
 Jawless fish, such as the ostracoderms, emerged during this time. These primitive
fish lacked true jaws and paired fins but possessed other chordate features.
 By the late Devonian, jawed fish (gnathostomes) had evolved, leading to further
diversification and the emergence of early sharks and bony fish.
4. Transition to Land (Devonian)
 One of the most significant milestones in chordate evolution was the transition
from water to land, which occurred during the Devonian period (around 416-359
million years ago).
 Tetrapods, the first vertebrates to colonize land, evolved from lobe-finned fish,
such as Eusthenopteron and Tiktaalik. These early tetrapods had limbs with digits
and specialized respiratory adaptations for terrestrial life.
5. Radiation of Amniotes (Carboniferous - Permian):
 During the Carboniferous and Permian periods (359-252 million years ago), amniotes, a
group of vertebrates characterized by their ability to lay eggs with membranes that
protect the embryo (amniotic eggs), underwent a significant radiation.
 Amniotes include reptiles, birds, and mammals, all of which evolved from early
tetrapods. Reptiles became the dominant land vertebrates during this time, diversifying
into various forms adapted to different environments.
6. Radiation of Terrestrial Vertebrates (Carboniferous to Present):
 Following the colonization of land, vertebrates underwent a remarkable radiation, giving

rise to diverse groups adapted to various terrestrial habitats.
 This radiation led to the emergence of reptiles, birds, mammals, and other terrestrial
vertebrates, each with unique adaptations for survival in their respective environments.
Reference
Aouacheria, A., C. Cluzel, C. Lethias, M.

Gouy, R. Garrone, and
J.-Y. Exposito. 2004. Invertebrate data
predict an early emer-
gence of vertebrate ﬁbrillar collagen clades
and an anti-incest
model. J. Biol. Chem. 279:47711–47719.
 Aouacheria, A., C. Cluzel, C. Lethias, M. Gouy, R. Garrone, andJ.-Y. Exposito. 2004.
Invertebrate data predict an early emer-gence of vertebrate ﬁbrillar collagen clades and an
anti-incestmodel. J. Biol. Chem. 279:47711–47719.
 Blair, J. E., and S. B. Hedges, 2005. Molecular phylogeny anddivergence times of

deuterostome animals. Mol. Biol. Evol.22:2275–2284
 Burdon-Jones, C. 1952. Development and biology of larva of Sac-coglossus horsti

(Enteropneusta). Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B236:553–590.485
 Cameron, C. B. 2002. The anatomy, life habits, and later devel-opment of a new species
of enteropneust, Harrimania plank-tophilus (Hemichordata: Harrimaniidae) from Barkley
Sound.Biol. Bull. 202:182–19
 Yasuo, H., and N. Satoh. 1993. Function of the vertebrate T gene.Nature 364:582–583
Blair, J. E., and S. B. Hedges, 2005.

Molecular phylogeny and
divergence times of deuterostome animals.
Mol. Biol. Evol.
22:2275–2284
Blair, J. E., and S. B. Hedges, 2005. Molecular phylogeny anddivergence times of deuterostome
animals. Mol. Biol. Evol.22:2275–2284

Abdi Vertebrate Zoo

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Abdi Vertebrate Zoo

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Abdi Vertebrate Zoo

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1) Discuss the general characteristics of vertebrates

 Bilateral Symmetry: Vertebrates typically exhibit bilateral symmetry, meaning their

 Advanced Nervous System: Vertebrates have a well-developed nervous system,

 Endoskeleton: Vertebrates possess an endoskeleton, meaning their skeletal structure is

 Vertebrate Groups: Vertebrates encompass a wide range of animals, including fish,

 Homeothermy or Heterothermy: Many vertebrates are capable of regulating their body

 Respiratory System: Vertebrates have a variety of respiratory organs and mechanisms,

 Reproduction: Vertebrates reproduce sexually, with well-developed reproductive

overview of the evolution of chordates

1. Pre-Chordate Ancestors (Ediacaran Period - Cambrian Explosion)

2. First Chordates (Early Cambrian)

3. Diversification and Adaptation (Ordovician - Devonian)

 Throughout the Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian periods (485-358 million

4. Transition to Land (Devonian)

5. Radiation of Amniotes (Carboniferous - Permian):

6. Radiation of Terrestrial Vertebrates (Carboniferous to Present):

 Following the colonization of land, vertebrates underwent a remarkable radiation, giving

Aouacheria, A., C. Cluzel, C. Lethias, M.

 Blair, J. E., and S. B. Hedges, 2005. Molecular phylogeny anddivergence times of

 Burdon-Jones, C. 1952. Development and biology of larva of Sac-coglossus horsti

Blair, J. E., and S. B. Hedges, 2005.

You might also like