Question

What are protochardates. Discuss their significance?

Answer 1

Chordates are subdivided into three subphyla. The subphylum Urochordata consists of the tunicates and related animals. Look at the adult tunicate and you will see very little in the way of Chordate characteristics. This is because the adults have become sessile filter feeders. The pharyngeal gill slits form a large filtering basket and the endostyle (thyroid precursor) produces mucus to trap small particles. If you look at the tadpole larval stage instead of the adult, you will see many more characteristics of the Chordates.