What characteristic confirms the Whooping Crane's placement in Phylum Chordata?
Answer
Presence of a dorsal hollow nerve cord during development
The Phylum Chordata encompasses animals that share a fundamental body plan established early in evolutionary history. Although adult birds like the Whooping Crane may have highly modified structures, their embryonic development confirms their placement within this phylum. Key chordate characteristics that must be present at some developmental stage include a notochord, pharyngeal slits, a post-anal tail, and critically, a dorsal hollow nerve cord. This placement links the crane to fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals based on this shared ancestral blueprint.
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