Cephalochordata

E14432

subphylum taxon

Cephalochordata is a subphylum of small, fish-like marine animals (such as lancelets) that retain a notochord throughout life and are important for understanding vertebrate evolution.

Aliases (5)

Statements (48)

Predicate	Object
instanceOf	subphylum → taxon →
behavior	burrowing →
bodyPlan	bilaterally symmetrical →
bodyShape	elongated → fish-like →
circulatorySystem	closed circulatory system →
closelyRelatedTo	Vertebrata →
coelomType	coelomate →
commonName	cephalochordates → lancelets →
contains	Asymmetron → Branchiostomidae → Epigonichthys →
describedBy	William Bateson →
developmentType	indirect development →
distinctFrom	Urochordata → Vertebrata →
environment	benthic →
feedingMode	suspension feeding →
feedingStructure	pharyngeal basket →
fertilizationType	external fertilization →
firstDescribedYear	1885 →
gasExchange	across body surface →
geographicDistribution	worldwide in shallow seas →
habitat	marine →
hasDistinctHead	false →
hasDorsalNerveCord	true →
hasPharyngealSlits	true →
hasPostAnalTail	true →
hasSegmentedMuscles	true →
hasVertebralColumn	false →
heartPresence	no true heart →
importance	key group for understanding vertebrate evolution →
includes	Amphioxus → Branchiostoma →
kingdom	Animalia →
larvalStage	present →
lifestyle	filter feeder →
notochordPresence	throughout life →
phylogeneticPosition	basal chordate →
phylum	Chordata →
reproduction	sexual →
researchUse	model for chordate development → model for evolution of vertebrate body plan →
sizeRange	a few centimeters long →
skeletonType	notochord →
substratePreference	sandy bottoms →

Referenced by (10)

Subject (surface form when different)	Predicate
Cephalochordata ("Branchiostoma") → Cephalochordata ("Amphioxus") → Chordata →	includes
Asymmetron → Epigonichthys →	subphylum
Cephalochordata ("cephalochordates") →	commonName
Cephalochordata ("Branchiostomidae") →	contains
Chordata →	hasSubphylum
Asymmetron ("Amphioxiformes") →	order
Epigonichthys →	parentTaxon