Subphylum Vertebrata (The Vertebrates) Module 5
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SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATA (THE VERTEBRATES) MODULE 5 MODULE 5 SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATA (THE VERTEBRATES) Unit 1 Classification Subphylum Vertebrata Pisces (fishes) Agnatha (= Cyclostomata) This group includes fishes without jaws. It includes such extinct groups as the heterostracans, cephalaspids and anaspids (commonly and collectively referred to as ostracoderms). The living members are represented by two classes: Myxini (hagfishes) and Cephalapidomorphi (lampreys). There are three superclasses as follows: Superclass Myxinomorphi Class Myxini (Hagfishes) Superclass Petromyzontomorphi Class Petromyzontida (= Cephalaspidomorphi) (Lampreys) Superclass Gnathostomata (jawed fishes and tetrapods) Members of the superclass Gnathostomata (Gr. gnathos, jaw + stoma, mouth) possess jaws and paired appendages. The mandibular arch (the anterior visceral arch lying between the visceral clefts in the wall of the pharynx) contributes to the formation of the primary and upper and lower jaws bordering the mouth. Jaws are used for feeding and are partly responsible for a transition to more active predatory lifestyles. Pectoral fin of fishes are appendages usually just behind the head, and pelvic fins are usually located ventrally and posteriorly. Both sets of paired fins give fish a more precise steering mechanism and increase in fish agility. The notochord of gnathostomes is either persistent or is replaced by a vertebral centra. Three classes of aquatic gnathostomes still have living members; the cartilaginous fishes (class Chondrichthyes) and the bony fishes (Osteichthyes; class Sarcopterygii and class Actinopterygii). Other classes are extinct; these are the armoured fishes or placoderms and acanthodians. AOE 1 SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATA (THE VERTEBRATES) MODULE 5 Division Anamniota Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes) Subclass Elasmobranchii (Sharks, skates and rays) Subclass Holocephali (Ratfishes, chimaeras) Osteichthyes (Bony fishes) Class Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes) Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Subclass Cladistia (bichirs) Subclass Chondrostei (paddlefishes and sturgeons) Subclass Neopterygii (gars, bowfins and teleosts) Tetrapoda (tetrapods) Class Amphibia Division Amniota Class Reptilia Class Aves Class Mammalia AOE 2 SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATA (THE VERTEBRATES) MODULE 5 Figure 1: Vertebrate evolutionary tree Source: UCL Unit 2 Evolution of the Vertebrates The first vertebrates evolved about 470 million years ago in the oceans as fishes without jaws or paired fins. Jawed fishes later became the dominant creatures in the sea, some of them huge in size. Their descendants, the amphibians invaded the land. Amphibians, in turn, gave rise to the first reptiles about 300 million years ago. Within 50 million years, reptiles were better suited than the amphibians to living out of water, and consequently replaced them as the dominant land animals on earth. Many kinds of reptiles evolved. Among them evolved reptiles that gave rise to two lines of terrestrial vertebrates, dinosaurs (and their bird descendants) and mammals. Dinosaurs and mammals appeared at the same time in the fossil record, about 220 million years ago. Then about 65 million years ago, dinosaurs abruptly disappeared for reasons that are still hotly debated. Mammals quickly took their place, becoming in turn abundant and diverse. AOE 3 SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATA (THE VERTEBRATES) MODULE 5 The history of vertebrates, therefore, has been a series of evolutionary advances that have allowed vertebrates first to invade the sea and then the land. Vertebrates are a diverse group containing members adapted to life in aquatic habitats, on land and in the air. There are eight principal classes of living vertebrates; four of the classes are fishes that live in water and four are land dwelling tetrapods (animals Figure 2: Vertebrate evolution with four limbs). Source: Highland School Biology and Biology Honours Figure 3: Vertebrate Phylogenetic tree Source: © Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Catherine Bixler AOE 4 SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATA (THE VERTEBRATES) MODULE 5 Conclusion The vertebrates are chordates with spinal column, which encloses the dorsal nerve cord. Vertebrates have also developed a distinct and well-differentiated head with a skull housing the brain. The first vertebrates evolved about 470 million years ago in the oceans and have over time developed paired fins and jaws; they have also invaded and colonized land. References/Further Reading Raven PH, Johnson GB (1999). Biology. WCB McGraw-Hill. 1284 pp. Vertebrate diversity by University College London (UCL); https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums- static/obl4he/vertebratediversity/index.html (accessed on 3rd April, 2020). Vertebrate Phylogenetic Tree by Catherine Bixler; © Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.; https://cdn.britannica.com/83/199483-004-0662BE65.jpg; (accessed on 3rd April, 2020). Vertebrate evolution by Island School Biology and Honors Biology published 25th November, 2012 https://ischoolbio.wordpress.com/evolution/spindle-example/; (accessed on 3rd April, 2020). Videos Vertebrate Evolution by evicioso uploaded 21st February, 2009 on https://youtu.be/OdhPIfOgwAo; (accessed on 3rd April, 2020). The Evolution of Vertebrates by Epic History on 25th November, 2016 on https://youtu.be/nqoqxA8p_AM; (accessed on 3rd April, 2020) AOE 5 .