Chapter 7: Vertebrate Animals

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

• Identify the key characteristics that distinguish vertebrates from other chordates, including the presence of a backbone, cranium, and complex organ systems.
• Classify vertebrates into major groups (fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and describe defining features of each group.
• Compare and contrast jawless, cartilaginous, and bony fishes in terms of anatomy, habitat, and evolutionary traits.
• Explain the evolutionary significance of major adaptations such as the amniotic egg, endothermy, and bipedalism in the context of vertebrate diversification.
• Describe the unique traits and behaviours of primates—including humans—that reflect their evolutionary adaptations to arboreal life and social living.
• Trace the key milestones in human evolution by examining derived traits, tool use, brain size, and cultural development from early hominins to Homo sapiens.