Arthropods
Examples
Vespula vulgaris (bottom left), Pacifastacus leniusculus (bottom middle), Lycosa tarantula (bottom right)
Vespula vulgaris (bottom left), Pacifastacus leniusculus (bottom middle), Lycosa tarantula (bottom right)
Evolutionary Milestones
Arthropods have passed five evolutionary milestones: eukaryote, tissues, bilateral symmetry, body cavity, and enclosed body cavity.
Habitat
Arthropods are a very diverse group that can be found on land, in water, or in air.
Anatomical/ Structural Features
Arthropods have jointed appendages and an exoskeleton.
How do they acquire nutrients
Arthropods are heterotrophic that can be a herbivore, carnivore, or an omnivore. Most arthropods have a pair of appendages in their mouthparts called mandibles. They can be adapted for biting and chewing.
What do they eat
Since arthropods are such a diverse group, the real question here should be what don't they eat. They can eat anything from dead stuff to plants and even other animals.
What eats them
Arthropods have a variety of predators. Birds, reptiles, fish, and other arthropods eat them. Even humans eat arthropods, like lobster and crayfish.
Symmetry
They have bilateral symmetry.
Mobility
Arthropods can move by flying, crawling, or swimming
Reproduction
Some arthropods reproduce sexually. Internal in land species, and external in aquatic species. Barnacles are hermaphrodites. Bees, wasp, and ants are parthenogenesis. This is a form of asexual reproduction in which a new individual develops from an unfertilized egg.
Development
During the life cycle of an arthropod, they go through a transformation called metamorphosis. The immature larvae undergo this transformation to become an adult. Also as an arthropod grows it must shed its exoskeleton and replace it with a new one. This process is known as molting.
Other Information
They are the largest animal phylum. Bees are pollinators. Ants, beetles, and etc. are scavengers. Mosquitoes are parasites. Spiders control the insect population.
Arthropods have passed five evolutionary milestones: eukaryote, tissues, bilateral symmetry, body cavity, and enclosed body cavity.
Habitat
Arthropods are a very diverse group that can be found on land, in water, or in air.
Anatomical/ Structural Features
Arthropods have jointed appendages and an exoskeleton.
How do they acquire nutrients
Arthropods are heterotrophic that can be a herbivore, carnivore, or an omnivore. Most arthropods have a pair of appendages in their mouthparts called mandibles. They can be adapted for biting and chewing.
What do they eat
Since arthropods are such a diverse group, the real question here should be what don't they eat. They can eat anything from dead stuff to plants and even other animals.
What eats them
Arthropods have a variety of predators. Birds, reptiles, fish, and other arthropods eat them. Even humans eat arthropods, like lobster and crayfish.
Symmetry
They have bilateral symmetry.
Mobility
Arthropods can move by flying, crawling, or swimming
Reproduction
Some arthropods reproduce sexually. Internal in land species, and external in aquatic species. Barnacles are hermaphrodites. Bees, wasp, and ants are parthenogenesis. This is a form of asexual reproduction in which a new individual develops from an unfertilized egg.
Development
During the life cycle of an arthropod, they go through a transformation called metamorphosis. The immature larvae undergo this transformation to become an adult. Also as an arthropod grows it must shed its exoskeleton and replace it with a new one. This process is known as molting.
Other Information
They are the largest animal phylum. Bees are pollinators. Ants, beetles, and etc. are scavengers. Mosquitoes are parasites. Spiders control the insect population.