Question

Identify the animal given in the picture and write features of its phylum/class.

Answer 1

The organism in the given picture is Amphioxus and it belongs to Phylum Chordata (Subphylum Cephalochordata).

Features of Phylum Chordata (Subphylum Cephalochordata):

1. Notochord present at least in early embryonic life.
2. Nerve cord is single, dorsal and non-ganglionated.
3. The heart is ventral in position.
4. Pharyngeal gill slits are present at least in the embryonic stage.
5. The post-anal tail is present at least in the embryonic stage.