Vertebrate: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:20, 23 March 2025

Animals with backbones

Vertebrates are animals that are characterized by the presence of a backbone or spinal column, which is part of an internal skeleton that supports the body. Vertebrates are members of the subphylum Vertebrata, within the phylum Chordata. This group includes the most complex and highly evolved animals on Earth, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Characteristics[edit]

Vertebrates are distinguished by their vertebral column, which replaces the notochord found in all chordates during development. The vertebral column is a series of interconnected bones or vertebrae that protect the spinal cord.

Other key characteristics of vertebrates include a well-developed brain encased in a skull, a complex nervous system, and an endoskeleton made of bone or cartilage. Vertebrates also have a closed circulatory system with a heart that pumps blood throughout the body.

Evolution[edit]

The earliest vertebrates appeared during the Cambrian explosion, around 525 million years ago. One of the earliest known vertebrates is Haikouichthys, which possessed a primitive backbone and a simple skull.

Vertebrates have undergone significant evolutionary changes over millions of years, leading to the vast diversity seen today. The transition from water to land was a major evolutionary step, giving rise to the tetrapods, which include amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Classification[edit]

Vertebrates are classified into several major groups:

Agnatha - Jawless fish, such as lampreys and hagfish.
Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fish, including sharks and rays.
Osteichthyes - Bony fish, the largest group of vertebrates.
Amphibia - Amphibians, such as frogs, toads, and salamanders.
Reptilia - Reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and turtles.
Aves - Birds, characterized by feathers and beaks.
Mammalia - Mammals, distinguished by the presence of mammary glands and hair.

Anatomy[edit]

Vertebrates exhibit a wide range of anatomical features adapted to their environments. Fish, for example, have gills for extracting oxygen from water, while terrestrial vertebrates have lungs for breathing air.

The skeletal system of vertebrates provides structural support and protection for internal organs. The muscular system works in conjunction with the skeleton to facilitate movement.

Adaptations[edit]

Vertebrates have developed numerous adaptations to survive in diverse habitats. For instance, birds have evolved wings and lightweight bones for flight, while mammals have developed specialized teeth and digestive systems to process a variety of foods.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Vertebrates''' are a large group of [[chordates]] (animals with backbones) that includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. This group is characterized by having a [[vertebral column]] or spine.
+{{short description|Animals with backbones}}
+{{Taxobox
+| name = Vertebrates
+| fossil_range = {{fossil range|Cambrian|Recent}}
+| image = Vertebrata_002.png
+| image_caption = Illustration of various vertebrates
+| regnum = [[Animalia]]
+| phylum = [[Chordata]]
+| subphylum = '''Vertebrata'''
+}}
-== Characteristics ==
+'''Vertebrates''' are animals that are characterized by the presence of a [[backbone]] or [[spinal column]], which is part of an internal [[skeleton]] that supports the body. Vertebrates are members of the subphylum '''Vertebrata''', within the phylum [[Chordata]]. This group includes the most complex and highly evolved animals on Earth, including [[fish]], [[amphibians]], [[reptiles]], [[birds]], and [[mammals]].
-Vertebrates share several key characteristics. They have a [[vertebral column]], a [[brain]] enclosed in a [[skull]], and an internal [[skeleton]] that allows for movement and flexibility. Vertebrates also have complex organ systems, including a [[circulatory system]] with a heart, and often have well-developed senses.
+==Characteristics==
+[[File:Vertebrate_body_plan.svg|thumb|right|Diagram of a vertebrate body plan]]
+Vertebrates are distinguished by their [[vertebral column]], which replaces the notochord found in all chordates during development. The vertebral column is a series of interconnected bones or vertebrae that protect the [[spinal cord]].
-== Classification ==
+Other key characteristics of vertebrates include a well-developed [[brain]] encased in a [[skull]], a complex [[nervous system]], and an endoskeleton made of bone or cartilage. Vertebrates also have a closed [[circulatory system]] with a heart that pumps blood throughout the body.
-Vertebrates are classified into five major groups:
+==Evolution==
+[[File:Haikouichthys_cropped.jpg|thumb|left|Haikouichthys, an early vertebrate]]
+The earliest vertebrates appeared during the [[Cambrian explosion]], around 525 million years ago. One of the earliest known vertebrates is ''[[Haikouichthys]]'', which possessed a primitive backbone and a simple skull.
-* [[Fish]]: This is the largest group of vertebrates, and includes both [[cartilaginous fish]] like sharks and rays, and [[bony fish]] like trout and salmon.
+Vertebrates have undergone significant evolutionary changes over millions of years, leading to the vast diversity seen today. The transition from water to land was a major evolutionary step, giving rise to the [[tetrapods]], which include amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
-* [[Amphibians]]: This group includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. Amphibians are semi-aquatic, spending part of their life in water and part on land.
-* [[Reptiles]]: This group includes snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles. Reptiles are cold-blooded and lay hard-shelled eggs.
-* [[Birds]]: Birds are warm-blooded vertebrates with feathers and beaks. Most birds can fly, but some, like penguins and ostriches, cannot.
-* [[Mammals]]: This group includes humans, as well as animals like dogs, cats, elephants, and whales. Mammals are warm-blooded, have hair or fur, and females produce milk to feed their young.
-== Evolution ==
+==Classification==
+Vertebrates are classified into several major groups:
-The first vertebrates appeared during the [[Cambrian explosion]], around 525 million years ago. These early vertebrates were small, soft-bodied creatures with simple backbones. Over time, vertebrates evolved into a wide variety of forms, from the tiny hummingbird to the massive blue whale.
+* '''[[Agnatha]]''' - Jawless fish, such as lampreys and hagfish.
+* '''[[Chondrichthyes]]''' - Cartilaginous fish, including sharks and rays.
+* '''[[Osteichthyes]]''' - Bony fish, the largest group of vertebrates.
+* '''[[Amphibia]]''' - Amphibians, such as frogs, toads, and salamanders.
+* '''[[Reptilia]]''' - Reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and turtles.
+* '''[[Aves]]''' - Birds, characterized by feathers and beaks.
+* '''[[Mammalia]]''' - Mammals, distinguished by the presence of mammary glands and hair.
-== See also ==
+==Anatomy==
+[[File:Gills_(esox).jpg|thumb|right|Gills of a fish]]
+Vertebrates exhibit a wide range of anatomical features adapted to their environments. Fish, for example, have gills for extracting oxygen from water, while terrestrial vertebrates have lungs for breathing air.
+The [[skeletal system]] of vertebrates provides structural support and protection for internal organs. The [[muscular system]] works in conjunction with the skeleton to facilitate movement.
+==Adaptations==
+Vertebrates have developed numerous adaptations to survive in diverse habitats. For instance, birds have evolved wings and lightweight bones for flight, while mammals have developed specialized teeth and digestive systems to process a variety of foods.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Chordate]]
 * [[Invertebrate]]
-* [[Animal classification]]
 * [[Evolution of vertebrates]]
+* [[Tetrapod]]
 [[Category:Vertebrates]]
-[[Category:Animal classes]]
 [[Category:Chordates]]
-{{stub}}