Phylum Chordata
Description
Phylum Chordata includes two invertebrate subphyla and all of the vertebrates. All chordates have four characteristics during some point of their life. A notochord, which is a flexible rod made of cartilage in the embryo, a postanal tail, which is an extension of the spinal cord past the anus, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, which is a hollow cord dorsal to the notochord, and phyarngeal gill slits/pouches, which are gills in the throat area.