External Morphology of Different Organisms

Introduction

The characteristics that identify closely related species of plants and animals are mainly superficial variations such as colour, size, and proportion, which are easily overlooked. The primary divisions, or phyla, of the plant and animal kingdoms, on the other hand, are defined by features that, while not necessarily unique to a single division or phylum, do occur in unique combinations in each of the two kingdoms.

Morphology in Brief

• A morphologist is a biologist who studies the size, shape, and structure of animals, plants, and microbes, as well as the interactions between their constituent parts, to better understand them

• The phrase refers to the general aspects of biological structure and arrangement of the parts of a plant or an animal, as well as the general aspects of their function

• Besides referring to the study of biological structure, the term anatomy is also used to describe a specific type of detail-oriented study of either gross or microscopic structure

• In practice, however, the two names are practically equivalent and are often used interchangeably

The Significance of Morphology

• The current biodiversity issue is being exacerbated by biological invasions, which have emerged as key players. However, effective tools for predicting which species will establish successful populations are still lacking

• A novel technique is presented here that only necessitates the morphometric characterization of the species in question

• We demonstrate, using fish invasions in the Mediterranean, that the quantity of non-indigenous fishes is correlated with the location and relative size of occupied morphological space within the receiving pool of species

• While non-indigenous species that look and behave like native species were able to establish large populations and even establish themselves, non-indigenous species that look and behave like native species failed to develop large populations or even establish themselves, most likely because the available ecological niches were already occupied

• In accepting Darwin’s naturalisation concept, our findings are compatible with notions advanced since Darwin’s naturalisation hypothesis and provide a new warning signal for identifying intruders as well as vulnerable communities in a given environment

The Morphology of the Cockroach

• In comparison to other insects, the cockroach form is straightforward to comprehend. Male cockroaches have wings that extend beyond the tip of their abdomen, and the length of an adult cockroach normally ranges between 34 and 53 mm in length

• Among the cockroach’s many basic bodily characteristics are the eyes, a mouth, a brain, a heart, salivary glands, antennae, a colon, a reproductive system, a gastric caecum (gastrointestinal caeca), legs, midguts, an oesophagus, fat bodies, and Malpighian tubules. These insects have a pair of eyes that have more than a thousand lenses, which allows them to see a variety of things at the same time while flying

• Head, thorax, and abdomen are the three separate sections of the cockroach’s body that are segmented as follows: The cockroach’s exoskeleton, which is made of chitin and is brown, protects the external area of the cockroach’s body from predators

• The exoskeleton is made up of hard plates known as sclerites, which are found in each segment. There are two types of sternites – dorsal and ventral – that are connected by a thin and flexible articular membrane, also known as the arthrodial membrane, which connects the two sternites

• When it comes to the anatomy of the stomach, we start with the alimentary canal, which aids in digesting. It is further subdivided into three sections: the foregut, the midgut, and the hindgut

• The first is muscular and aids in the crushing of the food; the second secretes digestive enzymes; and the third aids in the absorption of water and salts through the intestines

• The blood circulatory system is characterised by being open and underdeveloped. The respiratory system is comprised of a network of the trachea that opens through ten pairs of openings known as spiracles, and thin branching tubes that transport oxygen to all regions of the body

• When it comes to the reproductive system, males and females have their own, which is why they are dioecious

• Male reproductive organs of cockroaches are comprised of two testicles from which protrude a slender vas deferential (vaginal tube)

• It connects to the ejaculatory duct, which connects to the male gonopore after a short distance

• Male gonapophysis is asymmetrical external genitalia made of chitin that is found on the male reproductive tract. The seminal vesicles are where the sperms are kept safe. During copulation, these spermatophores are discharged into the environment

• However, cockroaches do have two enormous ovaries in their reproductive system, which is different from that of other insects

• Each ovary is made up of eight ovarian tubules, also known as ovarioles, each of which contains a chain of developing oocytes. In the female reproductive system, oviducts from each of its ovaries join together to form the vagina, which connects to the genital chamber

Conclusion

The study of Morphology is significant in Biology because it aids in the investigation of an individual’s exterior characteristics, such as his or her size, shape, and structure. Furthermore, the study of Morphology aids us in determining the evolutionary relationships that exist between organisms.

The study of Morphology encompasses the morphology of plants and animals, as well as the morphology of nearly every single cell, tissue, and organ in an individual creature.