lancelet
Fish-like invertebrate ancestor
A lancelet is a small, translucent marine animal shaped like a blade or lance, typically a few centimeters long.
Lancelets are among the simplest creatures with a notochord—the flexible rod that in vertebrates develops into a spine—making them important in evolutionary biology as a link between invertebrates and vertebrates.
They burrow in sandy seafloors and filter-feed.
Also called amphioxus.
Notochord-possessing animal
- subphylumRank beneath phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
- notochordEmbryonic axial support structure
Evolutionary relationships among organisms
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
- notochordEmbryonic axial support structure
- chordateNotochord-possessing animal
- fossil recordRemains documenting prehistoric life
Cambrian · embryology · genomics · genome · morphology · segmentation · nerve cord · basal
Embryonic axial support structure
- atriumRoofed central hall
- translucentPermitting diffused light passage
- tail finRear swimming appendage
- gonadsGamete-producing glands
Relating to the sea
- benthicOf the sea bottom
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- burrowingDigging to create shelter
- sandFine rock particles
shallow water · subtropical · temperate · coastal · seafloor · Indo-Pacific · Mediterranean · Atlantic
Animal straining waterborne nutrients
- ciliaHairlike cellular projections
- pharynxMuscular throat cavity
- planktonDrifting marine microlife
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
chordate
Notochord-possessing animal
- subphylumRank beneath phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
phylogeny
Evolutionary relationships among organisms
- ancestorPredecessor in lineage
- notochordEmbryonic axial support structure
- chordateNotochord-possessing animal
fossil record · Cambrian · embryology · genomics · genome · morphology · segmentation · nerve cord · basal · primitive
notochord
Embryonic axial support structure
- atriumRoofed central hall
- translucentPermitting diffused light passage
- tail finRear swimming appendage
marine
Relating to the sea
sand · shallow water · subtropical · temperate · coastal · seafloor · Indo-Pacific · Mediterranean · Atlantic · tidal
filter feeder
Animal straining waterborne nutrients
phytoplankton · detritus · microorganisms · gill slits · diatoms