What is vertebrate definition?

Vertebrates are members of the subphylum Vertebrata within the phylum Chordata. They are animals that possess a vertebral column or backbone, which forms the structural support for the body and protects the spinal cord. Vertebrates include fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

The vertebral column is a series of separate bones called vertebrae, which are connected by cartilage and ligaments. The vertebrae are divided into five regions: cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), lumbar (lower back), sacral (pelvic), and caudal (tail) regions.

Vertebrates have a variety of other distinguishing features, including a well-developed nervous system, internal organs held in a coelom (body cavity), advanced circulatory and respiratory systems, and specialized sensory organs such as eyes, ears, and noses.

Vertebrates are a diverse and successful group of animals, with over 65,000 species known to science. They have adapted to a wide range of habitats, including land, water, and air. Mammals, in particular, have evolved complex social and intellectual capacities, making them some of the most intelligent and sophisticated animals on Earth.