Phylum -

Animals with a backbone (or notochord), including humans, fish, and birds.

Situated just below and above Class in biological classification, a phylum groups organisms based on a general, shared body plan or fundamental developmental structure. What is a Phylum? phylum

Phyla help biologists understand evolutionary relationships. Organisms in the same phylum—say, a human and a fish—might look very different, but they share a basic body blueprint (in this case, belonging to Chordata ). Phylum Chordata | manoa.hawaii.edu/ExploringOurFluidEarth Animals with a backbone (or notochord), including humans,

Each phylum represents a specific evolutionary path, defined by unique characteristics like internal structure, body symmetry, and mode of development. Phyla help biologists understand evolutionary relationships

In botany (plants, fungi), the term division is often used interchangeably with phylum. Key Phyla in the Animal Kingdom

After Kingdom, it is the primary division of organisms sharing core structural traits.

Soft-bodied animals, often with shells (snails, clams, octopuses).