Are Tunicates Closer To Vertebrates Or Invertebrates?

Are tunicates vertebrates or invertebrates? Tunicates are categorized as invertebrates, which means they are animals without backbones. They belong to the subphylum Tunicata, also known as Urochordata. Despite being invertebrates, tunicates are intriguingly part of the Phylum Chordata, a taxonomic group that encompasses animals with backbones, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. This unique classification within the Chordata phylum highlights the diverse range of organisms it encompasses, spanning from simple, spineless tunicates to more complex vertebrates like humans.

Many people are often surprised to discover that tunicates, which belong to the phylum Urochordata, share a closer evolutionary relationship with vertebrates, such as humans, than with the majority of other invertebrate animals. In fact, tunicates are part of the phylum Chordata, which encompasses all vertebrates. This connection highlights the intriguing evolutionary link between tunicates and vertebrates, shedding light on their shared ancestry within the broader context of the animal kingdom.

Tunicates, intriguingly, share a surprising genetic proximity to humans when compared to other invertebrate creatures. Tunicates belong to the phylum Urochordata, a taxonomic group that exhibits a remarkable affinity with the phylum Chordata, encompassing all vertebrates. This unexpected connection underscores the evolutionary ties that link tunicates, humans, and other vertebrate species within the broader context of the animal kingdom.