What Is The Phylum Arthropoda And What Are Its Characteristics?
Arthropoda is a Greek word meaning JOINT FEET. It is the largest phylum with more than 80% of living animals falling into this category. This phylum includes insects, crustaceans, arachnids etc. The characteristics of the Phylum Arthropoda are: 1) Exoskeleton – All members of this phylum have an external skeleton made of chitin. It provides protection. 2) Metamerism – This means that the body of the Arthropods is composed of numerous segments called Somites. 3) Joint Appendages – Arthropods have joint appendages, which are modified into specialized organs for walking, eating, and grasping purposes. 4) They have a dorsal heart. 5) Ventral Nervous System – They have a ventral nerve cord with ganglia(swellings) in each segment. 6) Open Circulatory System – In Arthropods the brain is located at the the front end (most anterior). A dorsal vessel directs the blood towards the brain. Their open circulatory system allows this blood to circulate back towards the rest of the body. 7) Sexual Repr
