The Vertebrates

Vertebrate Characteristics

Vertebrae (backbone) Notochord (flexible dorsal rod) Nerve cord (hollow) with brain Three layers of cells as an embryo Coelom (body cavity) Tissues and organs Endoskeleton

What are the 5 vertebrate animal groups?

FISHAMPHIBIANSREPTILESBIRDSMAMMALS

The Vertebrate species breakdown:

Number of Species Described

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

Number

FishReptilesAmphibiansBirdsMammals

On a sheet of paper, make a list of as many animals as you can think of from each of the

five groups.

The Vertebrate species breakdown:

Number of Species Described

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

Number

FishReptilesAmphibiansBirdsMammals

The Animal Kingdom species breakdown:

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

700000

800000

900000

Species

PoriferaCnidariansPlatyhelminthesNematodaAnnelidaEchinodermataMolluscaArthropodaFishReptilesAmphibiansBirdsMammals

The Animal Kingdom species breakdown (without insects):

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

Species

Porifera

Cnidarians

Platyhelminthes

Nematoda

Annelida

Echinodermata

Mollusca

Arthropoda (w/ oinsects)Fish

Reptiles

Amphibians

Birds

Mammals

FISH 3 Classes

I. Agnatha

(Jawless fish)

Lamprey eels

Hagfishes

FISH

3 Classes

II. Chondrichthyes

(Cartilaginous fishes)

Sharks,Rays,Skates

• Rays are viviparous (bearing live young)

• Skates are oviparous (laying eggs).

• Skates have one or two dorsal fins

• Rays generally do not have a dorsal fin

• Rays have flat plate-like teeth.

• Skates have cusped teeth.

Ray versus Skate

FISH 3 Classes

III. Osteichthyes

(Bony Fish)

20,000 species!

Fish Facts

• Use gills to breathe and swim bladder for depth• Have scales• Jaws and Bony skeleton• Vertebrae provide flexibility (mobility)• 2-chambered hearts• most have external fertilization• highly developed sensory systems & smell

– lateral line system: fluid-filled canals that allow detection of movement and vibration

AmphibiansAmphibians

“double life” they start as

aquatic larva and grow into a

terrestrial adult!

FROGS

TOADS

CAECILIANS

NEWTS

SALAMANDERS

AMPHIBIAN FACTS

• Ectotherms (body temp = surroundings)

• Metamorphosis (tadpole to frog)

• 3-chambered heart for more energy

• Breathe through skin (so must stay moist)