Question:medium

Tornaria is a larval form found in the members of:

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Tornaria larva is a hallmark of Hemichordata.
Updated On: Jun 6, 2026
  • Echinodermata
  • Cephalochordata
  • Urochordata
  • Hemichordata
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: What a larval form tells us.
Many animals pass through a special young swimming stage called a larva before becoming an adult. These larvae are often unique to a particular group, so they act like clues to identify the group.

Step 2: Recall the Tornaria larva.
Tornaria is a ciliated, free-swimming larva. It is famous because it looks very similar to the bipinnaria larva of echinoderms, which hints at a close link between the two groups.

Step 3: Which group owns Tornaria.
The Tornaria larva belongs to Hemichordata, the group that includes Balanoglossus, the acorn worm.

Step 4: Why the other options are wrong.
Echinodermata have larvae such as bipinnaria, not Tornaria. Cephalochordates like Amphioxus and urochordates like Herdmania have their own tadpole-like larvae, not Tornaria.

Step 5: Conclusion.
Therefore the correct answer is "Hemichordata". \[ \boxed{\text{Hemichordata}} \]
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