vertebratelike
Vertebratelike is a descriptive term used in anatomy and paleontology to refer to features or organisms that resemble those of vertebrates but do not constitute a true vertebrate. The term is not a formal taxonomic category but a qualitative descriptor indicating similarity in structure or organization.
It is often employed when discussing early chordates or fossil specimens in which certain traits — such
Vertebratelike traits may arise through convergent evolution, heterochrony, or retention of primitive features from a common
Etymology: the word is built from vertebrate plus the suffix -like, indicating resemblance. In scientific literature,
See also: vertebrate, chordate, protovertebrate, convergent evolution, homologous vs analogous.