Animals which are marine, bilaterally symmetrical, have a coelom and a

Animals which are marine, bilaterally symmetrical, have a coelom and a notochord, but never form a vertebral column are placed under which one of the following groups?

Chordata
Protochordata
Vertebrata
Mammalia
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021

The description fits the characteristics of Protochordata, which include Urochordata (Tunicates) and Cephalochordata (Lancelets). These are marine, bilaterally symmetrical coelomates that possess a notochord at some stage of their life cycle, but they do not develop a vertebral column (backbone), which is characteristic of Vertebrata.

Protochordata is a group within the phylum Chordata characterized by having a notochord but lacking a vertebral column.

The phylum Chordata is broadly divided into Protochordata (also treated as subphyla Urochordata and Cephalochordata) and Vertebrata. Vertebrata are chordates where the notochord is replaced by a bony or cartilaginous vertebral column in the adult stage. Mammalia is a class within Vertebrata.

Exit mobile version