What feature justifies *Xema sabini*'s placement in Phylum Chordata?
Answer
It possesses a notochord or a vertebral column at some stage of its development.
Inclusion in the Phylum Chordata is based on the presence of key structural elements shared by vertebrates and related organisms. Specifically, Chordata members must exhibit a notochord, a flexible rod-like structure, or, as is the case with birds, a fully developed vertebral column (backbone) at some point in their life cycle. This shared developmental heritage places *Xema sabini* alongside fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, all of which possess this fundamental axial support structure.
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Xeme Facts: Sabine's Gull (Xema) 𓅰 Animal Fact Files - YouTube
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