Statement A is valid. Vertebrates exhibit a notochord in their embryonic stage, which is subsequently substituted by a vertebral column.
Statement R is invalid. While all vertebrates are chordates, the converse is not true; some chordates are not vertebrates (e.g., tunicates, cephalochordates). A key characteristic of chordates is the presence of a notochord at some point during development. Statement R misrepresents the connection between chordates and vertebrates.