The phylum of the animal kingdom that includes vertebrates is known as?

The phylum that includes vertebrates is Chordata. This group is characterized by certain key features that are present at some stage of development, including a notochord (a flexible rod-like structure), a dorsal hollow nerve cord, and pharyngeal slits or pouches. Vertebrates, which include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, belong to the subphylum Vertebrata within the Chordata phylum and are distinguished by having a backbone or vertebral column.

In contrast, Porifera, known as sponges, are simple, multicellular organisms without true tissues or organs. Nematoda, or roundworms, are a diverse group of unsegmented worms that lack a backbone and exhibit a different body structure. Arthropoda encompasses a vast group of invertebrates that have exoskeletons, segmented bodies, and jointed appendages, including insects and crustaceans, which also do not have a vertebral column. Therefore, Chordata is the correct phylum that includes vertebrate animals specifically.