● Hemichordata was earlier considered as a sub-phylum under phylum Chordata. But now it is placed as a `color{Violet }"separate phylum"` under Non-chordata.

● `color{Brown}"Members"`: This phylum consists of a small group of `color{Violet }"worm-like marine animals"`.

● `color{Brown}"Basic Features"`: They have `color{Violet }"organ-system"` level of organization and are `color{Violet }"bilaterally symmetrical"`. They are `color{Violet }"triploblastic"` and `color{Violet }"coelomate animals"`.

● `color{Brown}"Examples"`: 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘴 (tongue worm or acorn worm) and 𝘚𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘴.

● `color{Brown}"Body Plan"`: The body is cylindrical and is composed of:
`star` An anterior `color{Violet }"proboscis"`
`star` A `color{Violet }"collar"`
`star` A long `color{Violet }"trunk"`

● `color{Brown}"False Notochord"`: True notochord is `color{Violet }"absent"`. Though a notochord like structure called `color{Violet }"Buccal diverticulum"` or `color{Violet }"Stomochord"` (outgrowth of buccal cavity) is found in their buccal cavity.

● `color{Brown}"Digestion"`: Digestive tract is `color{Violet }"complete"` and organisms are mostly `color{Violet }"ciliary feeders"`.

● `color{Brown}"Circulatory system"`: `color{Violet }"Open"` type. Blood is colourless with amoeboid corpuscles.

● `color{Brown}"Excretory system"`: Excretory organ is single glomerulus or `color{Violet }"proboscis gland"`.

● `color{Brown}"Respiratory System"`: Respiration takes place through `color{Violet }"gills"`.

● `color{Brown}"Central nervous system"`: It is just like non chordates, Consists of a `color{Violet }"nerve ring"` (Brain) and ventral nerve cord.

● Sexes are `color{Violet }"separate"`.

● Reproduction is `color{Violet }"sexual"` and mostly animals are `color{Violet }"unisexua"`l.

● Fertilisation is `color{Violet }"external"`.

● Development is `color{Violet }"indirect"` with `color{Violet }"Tornaria larva"` which is similar to bipinnaria larva of echinodermata in
their developmental stages.

`color{Green}♣ color{Green} "Special Mention"`

Hemichordata is the connecting link between Non - Chordata & Chordata