What defining feature signifies Phylum Chordata for Wolffish at some developmental stage?
Answer
A notochord
The designation to the Phylum Chordata indicates that Wolffish, at some point in their development, possess a notochord. The notochord functions as a flexible rod that provides essential skeletal support. Furthermore, membership in Chordata also implies the presence of a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail. For the Wolffish, which are bony fishes, the notochord is later replaced by the more complex, segmented vertebral column, placing them into the subphylum Vertebrata.
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