What are the characteristics of vertebrates?

All vertebrates have a vertebral column or backbone. As chordates, all vertebrates have a similar anatomy and morphology with the same qualifying characteristics: a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail. They share these characteristics as they all share a common ancestor, from which all vertebrate species evolved. The first vertebrate fossil is of the species Pikaia, which shows first visible evidence of having a backbone.