Vertebrata
Pronunciation : Ver`te*bra"ta
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [NL.] (Zo?l.)
Definition : Defn: One of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom, comprising all animals that have a backbone composed of bony or cartilaginous vertebr?, together with Amphioxus in which the backbone is represented by a simple undivided notochord. The Vertebrata always have a dorsal, or neural, cavity above the notochord or backbone, and a ventral, or visceral, cavity below it. The subdivisions or classes of Vertebrata are Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces, Marsipobranchia, and Leptocardia.
pl.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
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