vertebrata Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun fishes; amphibians; reptiles; birds; mammals
    subphylum Vertebrata; Craniata; subphylum Craniata.

WordNet

Ver`te*bra"ta noun plural
Etymology
NL.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) One of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom, comprising all animals that have a backbone composed of bony or cartilaginous vertebræ, together with Amphioxus in which the backbone is represented by a simple undivided notochord. The Vertebrata always have a dorsal, or neural, cavity above the notochord or backbone, and a ventral, or visceral, cavity below it. The subdivisions or classes of Vertebrata are Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces, Marsipobranchia, and Leptocardia.

Webster 1913