Arthropods

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Arthropods

Arthropods (/ɑːrˈθrɒpɒdz/, from Greek ἄρθρον arthron, "joint" and πούς pous, "foot") are an invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and paired jointed appendages. Arthropods form the phylum Euarthropoda, which includes insects, arachnids, myriapods, and crustaceans.

Etymology

The term "arthropod" comes from the Greek words "arthro-", meaning joint, and "-pod", meaning foot. This refers to the jointed feet characteristic of members of this phylum.

Classification

Arthropods are classified into four subphyla:

Characteristics

Arthropods are characterized by their jointed limbs and cuticle made of chitin, often mineralised with calcium carbonate. They have over time evolved a range of different features, so many lineages can be singled out by their specific features.

Related Terms

  • Exoskeleton - A rigid external covering for the body in some invertebrate animals, especially arthropods.
  • Invertebrate - Animals that do not have a spinal column.
  • Phylum - A principal taxonomic category that ranks above class and below kingdom.
  • Euarthropoda - The largest phylum in the animal kingdom which includes arthropods.
  • Trilobitomorpha - An extinct subphylum of arthropods.
  • Chelicerata - A subphylum of arthropods.
  • Myriapoda - A subphylum of arthropods.
  • Pancrustacea - A subphylum of arthropods.

External links

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