What are invertebrates?

1 Answer
Nov 7, 2017

Invertebrates are animals that neither possess nor develop a vertebral column derived from the notochord.

Explanation:

This includes all animals apart from the subphylum Vertebrata. The majority of animals are invertebrates. Many invertebrate taxa have a greater number and variety of species than entire subphylum of Vertebrata. By far the largest number of described invertebrate species are insects.

Being animals, invertebrates are heterotrophs and require sustenance in the form of the consumption of other organisms. Invertebrates generally have bodies composed of differentiated tissues. There is also typically a digestive chamber with one or two openings to the exterior.