FEATURES OF ARTHROPODS
Arthropods (from Greek words arthros = jointed, podos = foot) is the largest phylum in the Animal Kingdom Arthropods are segmented animals which have jointed appendages.
Some of the features of Arthropods are given below:
- Body is divided into head, thorax and abdomen. Sometimes head and thorax are united together to form cephalothorax.
- Body consists of Exoskeleton – a hard protective covering around the outside of the body (divided by sutures into plates called sclerites).
- Body is segmented with Jointed limbs and jointed mouthparts – that allow extensive specialization.
- Body is bilaterally symmetrical i.e. a central line can divide the body into two identical halves, left and right.
- Nervous system is fully developed with open blood vascular system.
- Heart is long and contractile and Alimentary canal is complete.
- Mouthparts are present around the mouth which is used in puncturing, sucking and chewing.
- Muscular system is well developed.
- Excretion takes place by Malpighian tubules.