1. A notochord that allows for muscle attachment and support
2. A dorsal, hollow nerve tail that leads to a distinct brain
3. Pharyngeal gills or slits
4. Postanal tail
The subphylum Vertebrata retains all chordate characteristics even in the adult forms. Vertebrates possess a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, post-anal tail, and pharyngeal slits or pouches throughout their lives.
The adult tunicate, specifically the subphylum Urochordata, exhibits all four chordate features: a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and post-anal tail. While tunicates are more commonly recognized in their larval stage, which displays these features prominently, certain adult tunicate forms retain these characteristics in a reduced or modified state. For example, they have a notochord in their larval stage, and some adult forms retain remnants of the nerve cord and pharyngeal slits for filter feeding. Thus, while tunicates are unique among chordates, they do reflect the chordate features in their life cycle.
Adult tunicates exhibit chordate affinities through the presence of a notochord in their larval stage, which is a defining characteristic of chordates. In larval tunicates, the notochord is prominent, along with a dorsal nerve cord and pharyngeal slits, which are features shared with other chordates. Although adult tunicates lose many of these traits and become sessile, they retain a structure called the tunic, which reflects their evolutionary connection to the chordate lineage. Overall, the larval form displays the key chordate features, while the adult form highlights the evolutionary adaptations of tunicates.
An adult sea squirt has an endostyle and pharyngeal slits which are two of the five hallmark characteristics of chordates.
No, not all adult chordates display all chordate features. Some species may have lost certain features through evolution or have modified them to suit their specific ecological niche. For example, some adult chordates may have lost a notochord or dorsal nerve cord during development.
The start out as very small. They will slowly begin to age and develop into the adult forms of their species.
The notochord is a flexible rod found in the embryos of all chordates, and is replaced later in life by the vertebral column and the main axial support of the body. If the animal you are referring to is an adult and lacking a "true notochord", it is still a chordate because the notochord has simply transformed into other parts of the body. However, if it is still an embryo and STILL has no notochord, it is not a true chordate.
Gills.
Adult butterflies have six legs and bilateral symmetry. In addition, adult butterflies have wings, as well as compound eyes.
In adult chordates, the notochord is typically replaced by the vertebral column (spine) during development, providing a more rigid structure for support and movement. While some primitive chordates retain the notochord throughout their life, most vertebrates exhibit a transition to a bony or cartilaginous backbone, which serves similar functions but offers greater protection and strength. Consequently, the notochord is usually only present in the embryonic stages or in specific chordate groups that do not develop a backbone.
puberty
Killer whales belong to the phylum Chordata because they possess a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail at some point in their development, which are key characteristics of chordates. These features are present in the early stages of their development, even if they are not as visibly apparent in adult killer whales.