Phylum Arthropoda

Arthropod means jointed legs. This Phylum is made up of animals that have joint appendages.

Characteristics of Phylum Arthropoda:

Characteristics of Phylum Arthropoda include;  

1. They have segmented bodies .

2. They have an exoskeleton made up of chitinChitin is the most abundant amino polysaccharide polymer occurring in nature, and is the building material that gives strength to the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, fish and the cell walls of... More . This is an important factor in protection and efficient locomotion in members of this phylum by providing a base to which the muscles are attached.

3. They possess "jointed appendages" or " jointed legs " used for feeding, movement, and reproduction and some serve as sensory organs.

4. They are bilaterally symmetrical .

5. They undergo periodic moulting for growth.

6. They are coelomates with coelom much reduced.

7. They are triploblastic .

8. They undergo metamorphosis .

Classification of Arthropoda:

This is the largest phylum in the animal kingdom and is divided into the following classes;

a. Crustacea
b. Insecta
c. Arachnida
d. Myriapoda: Sub-Class: Chilopoda & Diplopoda

a. Class Crustacea:

Characteristics of Crustaceans:

1.