Concept explainers
Describe likely features of the common ancestor of chordates, and explain your reasoning.
To explain: Likely features of common ancestor of chordates.
Concept introduction:
Deuterostomes are the likely ancestors of the Chordates. Deuterostomes consists of Echinoderms, Cephalochordates, Urochordates and many more phylums. They do not look physiologically like chordates but are genetically very similar.
Explanation of Solution
The features of the common ancestors of chordates are the presence of dorsal nerve cord and notochord. They possess pharyngeal slits that function as gills of fish. They also possess a muscular tail that surpasses the anus. The symmetry is bilateral as the cord passes through the center.
The modern-day chordate possess various features same as their ancestors. Presence of the nerve cord and muscular layering over it are seen in the ancestors, the features that are now fully developed in phylum Chordata.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 34 Solutions
Campbell Biology (10th Edition)
- Describe the two groups of invertebrate chordates, and draw atree showing how they relate to one another and to vertebratesarrow_forwardDescribe how paedomorphosis as a mechanism could explain the evolution of the chordate body plan (from echinoderm larval form to a craniate form).arrow_forwardCheck the column if the chordate subphylum exhibits the following features found in Phylum Chordata.arrow_forward
- Identify four derived characters that all chordates haveat some point during their lifearrow_forwardWithin the subphylum Urochordata is a group called the appendicularians (or larvaceans; class Appendicularia). This relatively obscure group of organisms plays an important role in the global carbon cycle and other biogeochemical processes in the ocean. Use library and Internet resources to research the natural history of these unique invertebrate chordates. What do they eat? How do they capture food?arrow_forwardprovide an example of homologous traits shared by most tetropods.arrow_forward
- Describe the origin of tetrapods and identify some of their keys derived traitsarrow_forwardList one evolutionary trade-off in members of chordates. Explain the mechanism (minimum of 500 words).arrow_forwardDraw three phylogenetic trees (cladograms) depicting the possible relationships between hemichordates, echinoderms and chordates. Briefly summarize the evidence supporting each alternative. Which appears to be the best-supported by recent DNA evidence?arrow_forward
- Biology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage LearningConcepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax College