What common feature, evident during embryonic development, places the White Marlin in Phylum Chordata?
Answer
Possession of a notochord and dorsal hollow nerve cord
The Phylum Chordata is defined by the presence of several key developmental features found in its members at some life stage. For the White Marlin, meeting the criteria for this phylum means that during its embryonic development, it possesses a notochord, which serves as a flexible skeletal rod, and a dorsal hollow nerve cord, which develops into the central nervous system. Additionally, chordates exhibit pharyngeal slits and a post-anal tail embryonically. These shared foundational characteristics link the White Marlin directly to all other vertebrates, including mammals and birds.
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