Also known as a 'lancelet', these tiny creatures can be found in most places buried in sand or in shallow parts of temperate and tropical seas. In Asia they are commonly harvested as food for both humans and animals. Lancelets grow up to about 5 centimeters (2.0 in) long, reaching 7 centimeters (2.8 in) at the longest. They have a translucent, somewhat fish-like body, but without any paired fins or other limbs. A relatively poorly developed tail fin is present, but they are not especially good swimmers. One feature that makes amphioxus such an interesting animal is the hollow nerve cord running along the back that it shares in common with vertebrates. They are also the modern representatives of the subphylum Cephalochordata.
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