Chordata

/kɔːrˈdeɪ.tə/ noun

Definition

The phylum of animals that includes all vertebrates and some simple creatures, characterized by having a notochord or backbone at some point in their life.

Etymology

Modern Latin scientific name derived from Latin 'chorda' (cord/notochord). Named by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century to classify animals with this distinctive feature.

Kelly Says

YOU are Chordata—humans, fish, birds, whales, and even simple sea squirts all belong to this group because we all develop a notochord, even if some of us replace it with a spine!

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