Traditional classification
Traditional spindle diagram of the evolution of the vertebrates at CLASS level
Conventional classification has living vertebrates grouped into seven CLASSES based on traditional interpretations of gross anatomical and physiological traits. This classification is the one most commonly encountered in school textbooks, overviews, non-specialist, and popular works. The extant vertebrates are:
- Subphylum Vertebrata: 7 Classes (often taught as 5 Vertebrate Classes, by collapsing the 3 fish classes into one)
- Class Agnatha (jawless fishes)
- Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes)
- Class Osteichthyes (bony fishes)
- Class Amphibia (amphibians)
- Class Reptilia (reptiles)
- Class Aves (birds)
- Class Mammalia (mammals)
In addition to these, there are two classes of extinct armoured fishes, the Placodermi and the Acanthodii, both of which are considered paraphyletic.
Add Info on Phylogenetic (using Fish as an Example)