 |
|
|
Arthropods
Phylum Arthropoda
updated
Jun 08
What
are arthropods? Arthropods are among the most familar
animals to us. 75% of all known animal species belong to Phylum
Arthropoda.They include land-dwelling animals like insects,
spiders and scorpions. Arthropods that are found in the sea
include crabs, shrimps, hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, mantis
shrimps and barnacles.
Arthropod
features: Arthropods have a harded outer skeleton
(exoskeleton) called the cuticle. 'Arthropoda' means 'jointed
foot' in Greek. Indeed, arthropods have jointed legs. Arthropods
make up most of all known animals, so this body plan seems to
work well.
Human
uses: Arthropods are well used by people everywhere.
They are among our favourite food! Remember that crabs and shrimps
are also arthropods. Insects have influenced humans since the
beginning of time. Their useful functions include pollinating
our food crops. On the flip side, they also spread disease and
destroy our food crops.
|
|
Phylum
Arthropoda: some subgroups
|
|
|
|
The Flower crab and
other decapods
are among our favourite seafood!
Changi, Jun 05
|
Mantis
shrimps are not like other shrimps
and belong to a different Order Stomatopoda.
Changi, Jul 05 |
Barnacles
are crustaceans and arthropods!
Tuas, May 05 |
|
|
