Category:Vertebrata

Ver`te*bra"ta, n. pl. Etym: [nl.] (zoöl.)

Defn: one of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom, comprising All animals that have a backbone composed of bony or cartilaginous Vertebræ, together with amphioxus in which the backbone is Represented by a simple undivided notochord. The vertebrata always Have a dorsal, or neural, cavity above the notochord or backbone, and A ventral, or visceral, cavity below it. The subdivisions or classes Of vertebrata are mammalia, aves, reptilia, amphibia, pisces, Marsipobranchia, and leptocardia.