A group of chordate animals that comprises the tunicates.
Subphylum Urochordata, phylum Chordata
‘Although this classification is widely accepted, some authors recognize three chordate phyla: Urochordata for the urochordates, Cephalochordata for the lancelets, and Vertebrata for the vertebrates.’
‘For this reason, the three subphyla, Urochordata, Cephalochordata, and Vertebrata, will be treated separately.’
‘Some zoologists would put the Urochordata closer to the Echinodermata, instead of within the Chordata proper.’
‘One such taxon is the Urochordata or tunicates, a highly diverse group of organisms that live in the widest variety of marine environments spread throughout the globe.’
‘The Urochordata, sometimes known as the Tunicata, are commonly known as ‘sea squirts.’’
Origin
Modern Latin (plural), from uro-‘tail’ + Chordata.
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