Arthropoda

Arthropoda is the most diverse phylum, containing approximately nine lakh species. Their habitats can range from aquatic to terrestrial to parasitic. They have chitinous exoskeletons and jointed appendages, which allow them to move freely.

This phylum contains several large classes, the largest of which is Insecta, which represents a significant portion of the world’s animal species. This phylum also contains several smaller classes. They have the capacity to sustain in a variety of environments.

Arthropoda

When it comes to the animal kingdom, Arthropoda is the largest phylum by far, and it is classified as part of the phylum Arthropoda. Jointed appendages, a segmented body, and an exoskeleton structure covered in chitin are all characteristics of these animals. Because of the exoskeleton structure, those animals are able to move freely and are well protected from predators. The Arthropoda are a class of animals that can live in both land and in water. Furthermore, few of them seem to be parasitic on other organisms. Such animals are often used as a source of nutrition for a variety of other living things.

Structure of Arthropoda

Characteristics of Arthropoda

Some of the characteristics of arthropoda include the following:

• A triploblastic, segmented body with bilateral symmetry is present.

• They are organised at the organ system level of complexity.

• Their bodies are equipped with jointed appendages that aid in locomotion.

• The coelomic cavity is completely stuffed with red blood cells.

• There is no restriction in their circulation system.

• A pair of compound eyes are visible on the top of the head.

• Chitin is used to construct the exoskeleton.

• Water-borne Arthropods excrete through Malpighian tubules, whereas land-based Arthropods excrete through green glands or coxal glands, depending on the species.

• They are unisexual, and fertilisation can take place either externally or internally in the body.

Classification of Phylum Arthropoda

The following are the subclassifications of the phylum Arthropoda:

Crustacea:

1. They can be aquatic, terrestrial, or parasitic in their behaviour.

2. The cephalothorax is a region of the thorax where the head and thorax are fused together.

3. Respiration occurs through the gills or the general surface of the body.

4. It is through green glands or antennal glands that they expel their excrement.

Myriapoda:

1. The majority of these are found on land.

2. The body is enlarged and divided into several segments.

3. Antennes, two pairs of jaws, and a pair of simple eyes are all included in the design of the head.

4. They have a large number of legs.

Hexapoda

1. They are primarily found on land.

2. The pre-segmental acron is visible on the head.

3. The thorax is divided into three parts.

4. The larval stage is present, and indirect development is taking place.

Chelicerata

1. On land, they can be found in large numbers. 

2. Antennas are not present.

3. It is possible to divide the abdomen into 13 segments.

4. Four pairs of appendages are found within it.

Onychophora

1. These are arthropods that are small in size and live on the ground.

2. Each segment of the body is represented by a different colour.

3. Nephridia are the organs responsible for excretion.

4. The trachea is the passageway through which they breathe.

5. For example, Peripatus

Trilobitomorpha

1. These are extinct primordial arthropods that were once common in the environment.

2. During the Paleozoic era, they were discovered in large numbers.

3. The body was divided into three lobes, with one being the median lobe and the other two being lateral lobes.

4. Each of the creature’s compound eyes and a pair of antennae were located on the top of their heads.

Conclusion

Arachnids, crustaceans, insects, and springtails are the four subphyla of Arthropods that have survived to this day (millipedes and centipedes). According to some scientists, arthropods with only single-branched appendages, such as insects, centipedes, and millipedes, descended from a common ancestor and should therefore be classified in a separate phylum—the Uniramia, or Atelocerata; however, in this treatment, these forms are dispersed among several subphyla. Apart from that, the phylum Arthropoda contains the extinct subphylum Trilobitomorpha, which means “trilobite-like creature.”Their habitats can range from aquatic to terrestrial to parasitic.The Arthropoda are a class of animals that can live in both land and in water.Each of the creature’s compound eyes and a pair of antennae were located on the top of their heads.Spiders, centipedes, mites, crabs, ticks, lobsters, scorpions, and shrimp are just a few of the animals that can be found in the phylum arthropoda, which includes a variety of other creatures.Arthropods excrete through Malpighian tubules, whereas land-based Arthropods excrete through green glands or coxal glands, depending on the species.