Vertebrata

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Vertebrate, animal with a backbone, or spinal column, made of interlocking units called vertebrae. This strong but flexible structure supports the body and anchors the limbs, and it also protects the nerves of the spinal cord. Vertebrates include fish, amphibians, and reptiles, as well as birds and mammals. In all vertebrates, the spinal column forms part of a complete internal skeleton. Unlike the hard external skeleton covering an insect, which is periodically shed as the insect grows, a vertebrate’s internal skeleton can grow gradually along with the rest of the body.

There are over 40,000 species of vertebrates, which scientists classify into five groups: (1) fish, (2) amphibians, (3) reptiles, (4) birds, and (5) mammals. Scientists divide fish into three groups based on their anatomy: jawless fish, cartilaginous fish, and bony fish. The other vertebrate groups are made up of tetrapods, which have lungs and generally live on land.

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