The free-swimming tunicate larva resembles a tadpole.Once it settles headfirst onto a solid surface the tail and notochord disappear,and the nerve cord shrinks to nearly nothing.The adults,which are usually sessile,retain only the pharyngeal slits.Neither adult nor larva is segmented.A tunicate is in which of the following phyla?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tunicates are chordates, which are characterized by a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and postanal tail at some point in their life cycle. Tunicates, however, only retain the pharyngeal slits in adulthood. None of the other listed phyla have these chordate characteristics.

The Free-Swimming Tunicate Larva Resembles a Tadpole