Chordata is a familiar phylum that includes organisms like mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians (all vertebrates); sea squirts (tunicates); and lancelets (cephalochordates). All chordates have a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, and pharyngeal slits at some point in their development.

People tend to think that the terms “chordate” and “vertebrate” are interchangeable, but that’s not true. While all vertebrates are chordates, not all chordates are vertebrates (for example, the tunicates and cephalochordates).

So for examples, any vertebrate you can think of is in the phylum Chordata. That means pandas, crows, sharks, salamanders, alligators, humans, etc.!

If you want more unusual examples, think of sea squirts and sea pork! Note– sea pork does not taste like pork from pigs. Unfortunately, I know this personal experience.

Chordata is a familiar phylum that includes organisms like mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians (all vertebrates); sea squirts (tunicates); and lancelets (cephalochordates). All chordates have a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, and pharyngeal slits at some point in their development.

People tend to think that the terms “chordate” and “vertebrate” are interchangeable, but that’s not true. While all vertebrates are chordates, not all chordates are vertebrates (for example, the tunicates and cephalochordates).

So for examples, any vertebrate you can think of is in the phylum Chordata. That means pandas, crows, sharks, salamanders, alligators, humans, etc.!

If you want more unusual examples, think of sea squirts and sea pork! Note– sea pork does not taste like pork from pigs. Unfortunately, I know this personal experience.