- published: 22 Apr 2015
- views: 10819
An arthropod is an invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton (external skeleton), a segmented body, and jointed appendages. Arthropods are members of the phylum Arthropoda (from Greek ἄρθρον árthron, "joint", and ποδός podós "leg", which together mean "jointed leg"), and include the insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and others. Arthropods are characterized by their jointed limbs and cuticles, which are mainly made of α-chitin; the cuticles of crustaceans are also biomineralized with calcium carbonate. The rigid cuticle inhibits growth, so arthropods replace it periodically by molting. The arthropod body plan consists of repeated segments, each with a pair of appendages. It is so versatile that they have been compared to Swiss Army knives, and it has enabled them to become the most species-rich members of all ecological guilds in most environments. They have over a million described species, making up more than 80% of all described living animal species, and are one of only two animal groups that are very successful in dry environments – the other being the amniotes. They range in size from microscopic plankton up to forms a few meters long.
What is an Arthropod?
"Baby, You're an Arthropod!" Song about insects, crustaceans, arachnids & more by Lucas Miller
Complex Animals: Annelids & Arthropods - CrashCourse Biology #23
Shape of Life: Marine Arthropods - A Successful Design
Arthropod Classes
Arthropod Adaptations
Insects & Arthropods
Invertebrate Diversity Part 3: Introduction to Arthropods
Arthropod Exoskeleton.mov
Gigantic ancient arthropod was really 'a very peaceful guy'
Isn't this enough to feed your lust does the blood not
satisfy your tongue it used to kill the cravings it used to soothe the beast
I used to chant the
suicide mantra and it was all that I could hear and you waited for the endge
so you could be
the vulture so you could feast away but now you grow impatient and the hymn
is not enough
you're begging for the symphony and calling for the maestro to strike up the
band and cut my
feeble throat isn't this enough isn't this your ride playing with the
handgun painting with my
blood and constructing ugly portraits to make me burn the brushes