  |
Lancelet - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancelet
Photograph of Branchiostoma lanceolatum and information from Wikipedia on the genus, traditionally known as amphioxus, its physical features and taxonomy. |
| |
Introduction to the Cephalochordata - http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/chordata/cephalo.html
Illustrated description of these primitive chordates, which are small, eel-like, unprepossessing animals that spend much of their time buried in sand. |
| |
Invertebrate Anatomy OnLine: Branchiostoma - http://webs.lander.edu/rsfox/invertebrates/branchiostoma.html
Detailed illustrated anatomical description of amphioxus and the lancelets. |
| |
Amphioxus: A Peaceful Anchovy Fillet to Illuminate Chordate Evolution - http://www.biolsci.org/v02p0030.htm
Illustrated article on amphioxus, a species which occupies a central place in evolutionary thoughts when considering the origin of vertebrates. |
| |
Amphioxus Embryonic Development - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycHJMXUT2o0
A fascinating short movie from YouTube showing the early cell divisions in the egg and its subsequent development. |
| |
The Amphioxus Song - http://www.molecularevolution.org/mbl/resources/amphioxus/
A song, set to the tune of “It’s a long way to Tipperary”, that explains in verse the evolutionary development of vertebrates from invertebrates. |
| |
Branchiostoma in coarse sand - http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/index.php?section=champions:baywatch:biotope_7
Information on several species that live in sand at moderate depths off the coast of Devon, UK, and photographs of the lancelet (Branchiostoma lanceolatum) and the pea urchin (Echinocyamus pusillus). |
 |
Animalia: Cephalochordata - http://biodidac.bio.uottawa.ca/thumbnails/filedet.htm?File_name=CEPL030P&File_type=GIF
Illustration of Branchiostoma. |
| |
Subphylum Cephalochordata - http://orion1.paisley.ac.uk/courses/Tatner/biomedia/units/chor3.htm
Information on this group and the three characteristic chordate features, the notochord, the dorsal nerve cord and the pharyngeal slits. |