Subphylum Vertebrata
Vertebrata - Propithecus vereauxi coquerieli (Coquerel's sifakas)
Organisms in the Subphylum Vertebrata are characterized by their set of vertebrae, a structure made of cartilage or bone, which compose the spinal column. The organisms are bilaterally symmetrical. Notochord and nerve cords are present in all animals in the subphylum. They have pharyngeal gill slits and a tail behind the anal opening. Tails provide locomotion, balance, and support. These organisms also acquire a closed circulatory system with a heart that is always in aventral position. A complete digestive system and a complex nervous system distinguishes the organisms in the Subphylum Vertebrata.
