The presence of vertebral column or notochord at any stage of life in any organism is the characteristic of vertebrate.
Explanation:
An animal is vertebrate if it fulfils the following criteria:
Presence of vertebral column or notochord.
Presence of endoskeleton or backbone.
The spinal cord runs above the vertebral column.
Humans embryo has notochord which becomes a vertebral column.
The alimentary canals end in the anus.
Mouth is present ta the anterior side of the vertebrate.
Have legs, fins or wings for movement.
Presence of a nervous system and sensory organs.
Presence of skin, lungs or gills.
Presence of a circulatory system.
Vertebrates include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
