Organisms in the phylum Chordata are defined as having a structure called a notochord. The notochord is a rod that extends through most of the body when it is fully developed. This "rod" stiffens the body and acts as its support. Chordates also have bilateral symmetry and a segmented body. This segmented body includes segmented muscles. these organisms also have a three germ layer and a well developed coelom. There is also a ingle dorsal or hollow nerve cord that has a large end. Often times that is the brain. Chordates have a complete digestive system with mouth and anus, and a circulatory system with a ventral hear, ventral blood vessels, and a closed blood stream. There are also two things that happen during development. A tail projects itself past the anus and a pharyngeal pouch is present at some point in time. Chordates reproduce sexually only.
In this phyla, there is the Subphylum Vertebrata. To learn more click on the work to follow the link.
Northern Goshawk (Accipiter Gentilis)
Myers, P. 2001. "Chordata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 01, 2011 http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chordata.html.
