Craniate
Craniate is a term used to describe animals that possess a skull. The term is derived from the Latin word "cranium," which means "skull." Craniates include all vertebrates, including humans, as well as some invertebrates.
Definition[edit | edit source]
A craniate is an animal that has a skull. In the biological classification, craniates are a subgroup of the subphylum Vertebrata, which is part of the phylum Chordata. The distinguishing feature of craniates is the presence of a skull, which is a bony or cartilaginous structure that encases the brain.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Craniates share several characteristics, including:
- A well-defined head
- A brain enclosed in a skull
- Paired sensory organs
- A nervous system that is centralized and partially enclosed within a spinal cord
Classification[edit | edit source]
Craniates are classified into two main groups:
- Vertebrates: These are craniates that have a backbone. This group includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
- Hagfish: These are craniates that lack a backbone. They are considered to be the most primitive form of craniate.
Evolution[edit | edit source]
The first craniates are believed to have evolved more than 500 million years ago during the Cambrian explosion. The evolution of the skull is considered a key event in the evolution of craniates, as it allowed for the development of a larger brain and more complex sensory systems.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Craniate Resources | ||
---|---|---|
|
|
Translate to: East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD