LESSON 1 Topic: Comparative Anatomy: Chordata

Comparative Anatomy – Comparative Anatomy deals with the study of the similarities and differences in
the structures of species.
 Incorporates different disciplines such as Zoology, Histology, Embryology, Paleontology,
Physiology, Genetics, Evolution, and Ecology.
 This involves the comparison of the descriptive and functional morphology of vertebrates.
Descriptive Structure of vertebrates to understand adaptive changes in course of evolution
Functional Studies the significance of the structure which includes the use of the specific
structure
Morphology Structural evolution of the changes. (Usually the general aspects of the
part/arrangement of the parts of the specimen.
Anatomy Identification and description of the body structures of living thing.
Notes:
The Importance of Comparative Anatomy
 Comprehend the structural basis of Biology
 To prove the ancient past and study the evolution
 Emphasize that humans parts are superior compared to others
 Developing dissection skills
Phylogeny of Chordates

Phylogenetic Tree - This is a diagram that depicts the evolutionary descent of different species
(Differences in generations)
Cladogram – Relies on the genetic makeup or common structures in different groups of species.
 All chordates have a notochord at one point in time (Protochordata)
 Not all species would develop the structure as they get more mature
  More similarities are observed as you move up the phylogenetic tree

Chordata – These are animal groups that possess the five fundamental architectures of vertebrates at
some point in their life stage.
Protochordate – Animal groups that lack a vertebral column and the presence of notochord at a certain
stage of development
Craniata – These are animal groups that possess a skull with hard bone and cartilage
Agantha – Animal groups that do not possess a jaw
The Five Fundamental Architectures of Vertebrates
1. The Notochord
 These are rods of living cells ventral (Behind) to the Central Nervous System and Dorsal (Front)
to the Alimentary canal.
 Adults retain only remnants of the embryonic notochord

Function: These provide skeletal support throughout most of the length of a chordate
During Development:
The Head – Incorporated into the skull floor
Trunk and Tail – Surrounded by Cartilaginous or bony vertebrate

Cross Section View Lateral View

 Results of Notochord During Adulthood
Protochordates – Axial Skeleton wrapped by notochord sheath
Agnathans – Axial Skeleton with the addition of lateral neural cartilages
Fishes And Amphibians – length of tail and trunk within centrum
Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals – Dissapear and becomes pulpy nucleus in mammals (Amiotes)

The Vertebral Column

 Irregular-shaped bone ventral is the Centrum
 Centrum is deposited around the notochord
 The neural arch are arches, above the centrum

2. The Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord

 Ectodermal cells that roll into a tube dorsal to
The Notochord via (Invagination)
 The Dorsal nerve cord develops into the CNS
 Invertebrates have more ventral notochords
Invagination – production of a tube called gastrula via
Local in-pushing of a surface.

3. The Pharynx
 These are common to Hemichordates (Do not possess one of the 5 structures) and Chordates
 The Pharynx can be perforated by openings to the exterior or an atrium (slits)
 Membranous digestive and respiratory organs located at the back of the mouth that serves
as passageway of food and air.
Cephalization – Forming of the brain and sense organs to migrate to the head.
Some structures that arise from the Pharynx
 Gills of Fishes
 Skeleton and Musculature of Jaws
 Lungs of Tetrapods
 Endocrine Glands
 Middle ear cavity of tetrapods
 Immune system during fetal life

Pharyngeal Arches – These are the development tissues

Separated by groves

Pharyngeal Clefts – If groves are outside the growing

Embryo

Pharyngeal Pouches – Depression located inside the

Embryo

Pharyngeal Slits – If the groove makes an opening

a. Pharyngeal Arches
 Column of tissues which separates each embryonic pharyngeal pouch from the next.
 These have 4 components that develop into Skeleton, Blood Vessels, Muscles, and Nerves.
 6 Total pairs of arches develop in the Cranlo-Caudal sequence (from the head)
 These are differentiated tissues
 External arches – Clefts lined with ectoderm
 Internal arches – Pouches lined with endoderm
The nerves from descending arches rise for example:

 Trigeminal Nerves (Mandibular division) = 5th Cranial Nerve

 Facial Nerves = 7th Cranial Nerve
 Glossopharyngeal Nerves = 9th Cranial Nerve
 Vagus Nerve = 10th Cranial Nerve
Aortic Arch – Connect Ventral + Dorsal Aorta

b. Pharyngeal Clefts
 Ectodermally-lined groove = outside of embryonic pharynx
 First cleft is important as it develops into the external auditory meatus of the ear and
provides the outer epithelium of the tympanic membrane
 These clefts are lost in development because of the proliferation of the underlying mesoderm
c. Pharyngeal Pouches (Endodermal)
 Arises as diverticula of endoderm or foregut that grows towards the surface of animals
 Establish the limits of the pharynx
Number of Pharyngeal Pouches – Sharks = 8, living agnathans = 15
 Grow towards each pouch and are separated from each other via the pharyngeal plate
 Contribute to the development of a diversity of structures

d. Pharyngeal Slits
 Formed between the pharynx and the exterior when the pharyngeal plat ruptures
 Pouches may open to the exterior part
 2 kinds of Slits
Permanent – Adults that live in water and breaths via gills
Temporary – Adults that live in land

4. Endostyle / Thyroid Gland

 Glandular groove in the floor of the pharynx
 Involved in Filter Feeding
 Results in the formation of the Thyroid Gland which produces hormones
 Both arise from the floor of the pharynx and are involved in iodine metabolism
5. Muscular, Post-Anal Tail
 Chordates have a tail posterior to the anus
 In many species, the tail is greatly reduced during the embryonic stage
 The tail contains skeletal elements and muscles
 Provide marine animals with propelling force
Taxonomy of Protochordates and Vertebrates

Phylogeny of Chordates
Protosomes – Species that develop spiral cleavage of embryonic cells and germ layers origin from
mesoderm, the mouth is the Blastophore
Deuterostomes – Outpouching of the primitive gut + Radial cleavage cells, Anus = Blastophore
(Chordates)

3 Components of Craniates
  Head
 Trunk
 Postanal Tail
a. The Head
- Contains the special sense organs for monitoring the environment
- Contains the brain to process information and provide stimuli to the body
- Jaws in some species for acquiring food
- Gills for respiration in fishes
b. The Trunk
 Contains the coelom which has most of the visceral organs
 Associated with paired pectorals and pelvic appendages (legs and arms)
 Neck = narrow extension of the trunk that connects the trunk with the head.
c. Post-anal Tail
 Located here is the anus or vent
 Consist almost exclusively of continuation of body wall muscles, axial skeleton, nerves, and vessels.
Present in all embryos but adults may loose tail.

Characteristics of Craniates
 Cranium
 Three-part Brain
 Neural Crest (derivation)
 Cartilage
 Paired external sense organs
Characteristics of Vertebrates
 Vertebral Column
 Two semicircular canal
 Electroreception
 Lateral line System
 Number of soft Tissue specialization