Chordata

Chordata is a phylum of animals that includes all species that possess a notochord, a hollow dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits and an endostyle. These animals are the most advanced and largest of all phyla and include vertebrate species such as mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Chordata species are known to possess a backbone and a brain, as well as other structures such as a heart, eyes, ears and lungs. They are the most complex animals on the planet and are widely studied due to their diverse range of behaviors, life histories and evolutionary adaptations. Humans are a prime example of a chordate, and the anatomical and physiological features of chordates make them highly significant to the study of evolutionary biology, ecology and medicine.