COMPARATIVE

VERTEBRATE
ANATOMY
Lecture I Introduction

Comparative Vertebrate
Anatomy

Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy is the

study of vertebrate structure (or
morphology) and the functional aspects
of these structures.

It is a study of vertebrate morphology from

an evolutionary perspective.

The Phylum Chordata

The phylum
chordata is
made up of
a group of
animals all
possessing
four
common
features.

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These features are:

1.

Notochord

2.

Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord

3.

Pharyngeal Slits

4.

Postnatal Tail

1. Notochord
a rigid cartilaginous rod defining the
longitudinal axis in the embryo

Fate of notochord during development:

Head region - incorporated into floor of skull
Trunk & tail - surrounded by cartilaginous or
bony vertebrate (except in Agnathans)

1. Notochord
Adults:

Fishes & amphibians - notochord persists the length

of the trunk & tail but is constricted within the centrum
of each vertebra
Reptiles, birds, & mammals - notochord almost
disappears during development (e.g., remains as a
pulpy nucleus in the vertebrae of mammals)
Protochordates - notochord remains as the chief axial
skeleton
Agnathans - lateral neural cartilages are located on
notochord lateral to the spinal cord

2. DORSAL HALLOW NERVE CHORD

1. The vertebrate nerve cord is
dorsally oriented and hollow.
a] It consists of the brain and spinal cord.
b] The hollow center of the vertebrate
nerve cord is termed the Neurocoel.
1] The neurocoel includes the central
canal of the spinal cord.

2. DORSAL HALLOW NERVE CHORD

2) The nerve cord originates by the process of
Neuralation.
a] Neuralation typically occurs along the
longitudinal axis of the embryo dorsal to the
notochord.
1] A groove, termed the Neural Groove, will form
dorsal to the notochord.
a} The neural groove will sink into the embryonic
body and close off to form the Neural Tube.

2. DORSAL HALLOW NERVE CHORD

2) The nerve cord originates by the process of Neuralation.
b] In Agnathans and Neopterygians (the gars, bowfins, and
teleosts) neuralation has become slightly modified from the
typical vertebrate
pattern.
1] The neural groove does not form.
2] Instead a Neural Keel forms. The neural keel is a wedge
shaped ectodermal structure dorsal to the notochord.
a} It will separate from the surface ectoderm, form a cavity,
and become a typical nerve cord.

2. DORSAL HALLOW NERVE CHORD

3) The nerve cord expands anteriorly to
form the brain.

4) Cranial and spinal nerves will develop

and radiate out from the
nerve cord.
a] These nerves allow for communication
between the CNS and the rest of the body.

3. PHARYNGEAL SLITS

Pharynx
The pharynx is a vital portion of the vertebrate embryo.

a] It shows the relationship between vertebrates and other

chordates.
b] It produces a number of structures:
1] gills in fish
2] lungs in tetrapods
3] jaw skeleton and musculature
4] some endocrine glands
5] the middle ear in tetrapods

3. PHARYNGEAL SLITS

Pharynx
The pharynx is a vital portion of the vertebrate embryo.

a] It shows the relationship between vertebrates and other chordates.

b] It produces a number of structures:
1] gills in fish
2] lungs in tetrapods
3] jaw skeleton and musculature
4] some endocrine glands
5] the middle ear in tetrapods
6] and serves a source of stem immune cells in the human fetus.

3. PHARYNGEAL SLITS
Pharynx
The pharynx is a vital portion of the vertebrate
embryo.

c] As a result, all vertebrate embryos will show a

basic pharyngeal architecture.

3. PHARYNGEAL SLITS
region of alimentary canal exhibiting
pharyngeal pouches in embryo; pouches
may open to the exterior as slits:

permanent

slits - adults that live in

water & breathe via gills
temporary slits - adults live on land

3. PHARYNGEAL SLITS
region of alimentary canal exhibiting pharyngeal
pouches in embryo; pouches may open to the
exterior as slits:

a} In fishes pharyngeal slits are maintained

throughout life for gills.
b} In tetrapods pharyngeal slits are only temporary
structures.

3. PHARYNGEAL SLITS
b} In tetrapods pharyngeal slits are only temporary
structures.
1} Examples:
(a) Frogs have 6 pharyngeal pouches in the
embryonic form.
(1) Four will form the gill slits of the tadpole.
[a] These four slits will close up again during the metamorphosis
into the adult frog.
(b) Chick embryos will have six pouches. Pharyngeal pouches
number 1, 2, and 3 will rupture and then close up again.

3. PHARYNGEAL SLITS
b} In tetrapods pharyngeal slits are only temporary
structures.
1} Examples:
(c) In mammals only one or two pharyngeal pouches will rupture. The
rupturing pouches tend to be
anterior pouches and will close up again.
(1) Pharyngeal pouch number one becomes the Eustachian Tube.
(2) Pharyngeal pouch number two will eventually house the palatine
tonsils.
(3) Several posterior pharyngeal pouches will give
rise to certain endocrine glands.

4. Postanal Tail

Provides propulsion for swimming

REVIEW