What is the difference between protochordates and vertebrates?

Vertebrates:- Vertebrate animals have their unique backbone with the spinal cord. The backbone is a column of vertebrae, which are parts of their internal skeleton. The skeleton could be either bony or cartilaginous. read more

The main difference between protochordates and vertebrates lies in replacement of notochord by vertebral column. Protochordates : They are classified under Acraniata group in which notochord is not replaced by vertebral column. read more

• Protochordates are also called Acraniata due to lack of head and cranium. Euchordates are called Craniata due to the presence of head and cranium. read more

Difference # Higher Chordates: 1. Mostly notochord is replaced by vertebral column, or in some cases notochord is per­sistent with vertebral column. 2. Cranium and vertebral column, both are present. 3. Atrium is absent. 4. Endostyle is totally absent in the adult stages of vertebrates, (only found in the ammocoetes larval stage of Petromyzon). read more

• All the vertebrates are chordates, but not all the chordates are vertebrates. • Diversity is exceptionally higher among vertebrates than among the non-vertebrate chordates. • The clear cephalization is much pronounced in vertebrates than in non-vertebrate chordates. read more