LAB

5 ANIMAL DIVERSITY IV: PHYLUM ARTHROPODA.

INTRODUCTION
The Phylum Arthropoda is the largest and most
diverse of all animal phyla (Fig 5.1). More than
three quarters of the animals on earth are
arthropods, and most of these are insects. More
than 900,000 species have been described, and if
biologists have the opportunity to explore the
rain forests before they are completely burned to
the ground, a like number will probably be
discovered.
Arthropods have their skeletons on the outside
of their bodies, rather than on the inside (they
have an exoskeleton; while our internal skeleton
is called an endoskeleton.) The phylum's name
is based on this feature (Arthropoda means
"joint-foot" referring to the external joints in the
skeleton that allow movement). There are both
advantages and disadvantages to being inside

out (although the majority opinion is clearly that

it's our skeletons that are oddly situated). The
advantages seem to outweigh any disadvantages,
judging from the phylum's success and diversity
(arthropods include in their ranks crabs, lobsters,
spiders, mites, and the vast number of different
insects).
More than anything, the exoskeleton has
allowed the arthropods to diversify and move
into niches that were previously inaccessible.
They were the first beasts to successfully
colonize land (the exoskeleton preadapted them
for terrestrial habitats since it provided both
support and protection from drying out). Insects
flew long before anything like a bird existed.
Some must have been quite impressive; relatives
of today's dragonflies with wingspans of nearly

Figure 5.1. Numerical Distribution of Named Animal Taxa.

Other Insects
(7.8%)

Miriapoda
(1.0%)

Crustacea
(4.0%)

Chelicerata

(6.5%)

Other Inverts

(1.5%)
(0.9%)

Hymenoptera
(9.6%)

Annelida
(4.8%)

Mollusca
(1.2%)
(1.3%)
(0.9%)
(3.8%)

(11.5%)

Lepidoptera

(11.5%)

Diptera

(33.7%)

Beetles

Nematoda
Platyhelminths
Coelenterates
Vertebrates

a meter flew the Triassic skies (over 230 million

years ago and pre-dating the first birds by nearly
100 million years). We even owe the presence of
flowers to insects (most flowers are constructed
to attract insects for pollination). In this
laboratory we will only touch on the diversity in
the Phylum Arthropoda.
EXERCISE 5.1 Primitive Arthropods- The
Extinct Trilobita.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Fossilized trilobites and plaster casts.
Trilobites are the most primitive of the
arthropods. Although they are now extinct, their
hard exoskeletons are so well-preserved and
plentiful in the fossil record that much is known
about their anatomy, diet, embryology, and even
behavior (about 4000 species are described).
Examination of their appendages and general
body structure show that most were marine
bottom-dwelling organisms. The structure of
their mouthparts and X-rays of their digestive
systems indicate that their diets included
seaweeds, coelenterates, and mollusks. Some
were probably scavengers, feeding on organic
debris in the muck much as some annelids do
today. Trilobites reached their height of
distribution and abundance during the
Cambrian and Ordovian periods (about 500
million years ago).
PROCEDURE:
1. Subphylum Trilobita. Examine the fossilized
remains and museum casts of trilobites. The
body is divided into three main sections: an
anterior shield-shaped cephalon (head), a
segmented body (the thorax), and a plate-like
pygidium at the rear. The body is longitudinally
divided into three regions by a deep furrow
(these three segments, each divided into three
portions is the origin of their name). The
cephalon had a pair of antennae (probably not
preserved in your specimen). The presence of a
single antennal pair is one reason they are often
placed within the Subphylum Mandibulata. A
pair of compound eyes can be identified on most
fossils (although some were blind). The eyes can
be so well preserved that microscopic
examination of their lens systems is possible.
The appendages on the ventral surface of the

animal included walking legs, filaments, spines,

and gills. These ventral structures are not usually
so well preserved. Sketch a well-preserved
specimen and label the visible structures.
EXERCISE 5.2 Subphylum Chelicerata- Class
Merostomata and Arachnida.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Preserved and Living Organisms: class
Merostomata: horseshoe crabs (Limulus
polyphemus); class Arachnida: scorpions,
various spiders, ticks, and mites.
Members
of
the
Subphylum
Chelicerata have no antennae and feeding
appendages called chelicerae. Their body is
divided into two main sections: an anterior
cephalothorax and a posterior abdomen.
PROCEDURE:
1. Class Merostomata. This class is represented by
only four species of animals commonly known
as "horseshoe crabs". Horseshoe crabs are
common inhabitants of the coastal marine waters
off the North American Atlantic coast and along
the Gulf of Mexico. They spend most of their
time burrowing through soft mud looking for
worms, mollusks, and other tasty tidbits.
Examine a living or preserved specimen of the
horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus. The
anterior cephalothorax is covered with a
horseshoe-shaped carapace, from which the
animals derive their common name. Two large
compound eyes and a pair of small simple eyes
(at the anterior end of the median ridge) are on
the dorsal carapace. The abdomen (posterior to
the carapace) bears rows of short spines and a
single large telson. Despite its formidable
appearance, the telson is used neither for offense
nor defense, and living animals can be safely
handled. When annoyed, horseshoe crabs fold
their abdomen under the carapace to protect the
more delicate ventral appendages. Turn your
animal over to expose the ventral surface. The
smallest of the pincers are the chelicerae,
feeding appendages that are characteristic of this
subphylum. The mouth is located directly behind
them. There are five pair of walking legs. Book
gills (the page-like appendages on the abdomen)
are used for respiration and swimming. The anus
is just anterior to the telson.

2. Class Arachnida. The arachnids are the most

successful group in this subphylum. They
include spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks and
were among the first animals to move onto land.
Although this group is probably the most
unpopular of all invertebrates, they are
ecologically important (spiders, for example,
devour more insect pests than do birds).

Scorpions: Scorpions are most easily

recognized by the stinging barb at the tip of
their abdomen. Gently remove a preserved
scorpion from its vial. The body is divided
into an anterior prosoma and the posterior
abdomen. As in the horseshoe crabs, the
prosoma is covered with a dorsal shield (the
carapace). Two pincher-like appendages (the
pedipalps) are used to manipulate prey
(mostly insects and spiders). There are four
pair of walking legs. Examine the other
scorpions on display.
Spiders: Position a garden spider (or similar
beast) under a dissecting microscope. The
body is
divided into an anterior
cephalothorax and a posterior abdomen.
From a dorsal view, eight eyes are clustered at
the front of the cephalothorax (the eyes are the
shiny black dots). On the ventral side note the
fangs at the base of the movable chelicerae.
Nearby you will find two small leg-like
appendages (the pedipalps). Examine the
pedipalps under the highest available
magnification. If your animal is an adult or
penultimate ("teenage") male, the last segment
of the pedipalps is expanded into a copulatory
organ. The pedipalps are followed by four pair
of walking legs. The last segment of each leg
is called the tarsus (it serves as a foot). Trace
your way back toward the body and identify
the tarsus, metatarsus, tibia, patella, femur,
trochanter, and a small coxa at the base of
the leg. The sternum is the flat shield between
the eight coxae on the ventral surface. Identify
the entrance to the book lungs (two slits on
the anterior part of the abdomen) and the
spinnerets (finger-like appendages at the
posterior tip of the abdomen). Silk glands in
the abdomen are connected to the spinnerets.
Examine the other spiders on display.

Mites and ticks. The abdomen of mites and

ticks has lost any external evidence of
segmentation and is fused to the prosoma.
The carapace therefore extends over the
entire body. Mites are a group of small (<1
mm), mostly parasitic arachnids (although
free-living mites can inhabit both terrestrial
and aquatic ecosystems). Ticks, on the other
hand, are usually larger and are obligate
external blood-sucking parasites throughout
their entire lives.

EXERCISE 5.3 Subphylum Crustacea.

MATERIALS NEEDED:
Preserved Organisms: preserved crayfish for
examination, various crustaceans on display.
Living Organisms: culture vial of the water
flea, Daphnia. Live crayfish and/or other
crustaceans.
Miscellaneous: microscopes, slides, slide
covers, eyedroppers, dissecting kits,
Members of the subphylum Crustacea
have two pair of antennae and feeding
appendages called mandibles.
PROCEDURE:
1. Crustacean Diversity. Crustaceans are an
extremely diverse group of primarily aquatic
arthropods with two pair of antennae. The class
includes such culinary delights such as shrimp,
lobsters, crayfish, and barnacles (barnacles?).
Although most are free-living, a few are
parasitic. Primitive crustaceans have three main
body parts: a head, a thorax, and an abdomen.
There is a tendency, however, for the head and
thorax to fuse and form a single cephalothorax.
Examine the preserved crustaceans on display.
Note the variability in their body structure and
different feeding adaptations. If available, take a
few minutes to observe the general behavior of
living animals.
2 Examination of a Living Crustacean: Daphnia.
Daphnia are commonly known as "water fleas"
because of the apparent similarity in their
locomotion to that of the terrestrial insect. They
are common inhabitants of freshwater ponds and
are an important component of these food
chains. Remove a Daphnia from the culture vial

Eye
muscle

Compound eye

Midgut
cecum

Intestine
Heart

Brood chamber
Embryo
Ovary
2nd antennae

Mouth

1st trunk appendage

Carapace
Filtering setae

Anus

Figure 5.2. Major organs and appendages of the water flea, Daphnia.
and make a wet mount. The body is covered in a
clam-shell-like carapace (open on the ventral
surface). A single compound eye can be seen
moving in the head (Fig 5.2). The antennules are
small and located at the tip of the rostrum
("nose"). Also note the prominent second
antennae (rapid flicks of which are used for
swimming). Observe the movements of the
trunk appendages beneath the carapace. Filtering
setae on these appendages sift microscopic
organisms from the water. Food is passed
forward to the mouth to be digested (owing to
their transparent nature, food can usually be seen
within the digestive tract). Males are rare and are
seen only at certain times of the year, so your
specimen is likely to be female. If you are lucky
you may see developing embryos within the
brood chamber. Use protoslo to retard the
movement of your specimen or switch to a
prepared slide. Sketch your specimen in the
results section and identify as many of the
structures as possible.
3. Crayfish External Anatomy.
Obtain a
preserved crayfish and identify each of the
appendages and structures indicated in Figure

5.3 and 5.4. Each of the appendages is based on

the same embryonic structures and, unlike the
water flea, show great structural diversity
(Figure 5.5). Examine each of the appendages
and speculate as to their specializations. Record
your observations in the results section. The
carapace is a continuos chitinous structure that
covers the joined head and thorax of the
crayfish. Evidence of the suturing can be seen at
the cervical groove. The main sensory structures
are the eyes, antennae, and antennules. Note
also the various hairs and pits covering the
surface of the body that serve mechanoreceptive
and chemoreceptive functions. If your animal is
a male, the first pair of swimmerets will be
expanded into copulatory organs while the
anterior swimmerets of females are similar to
the feathery posterior swimmerets. Move one of
the walking leg appendages and not their range
of movement. The extra limb segments
(compared to our limbs) are adaptations to allow
graceful movement since ball-and-socket joints
(such as your shoulder) are not possible with an
external skeleton. Make a sketch showing the
range of move of each of the leg sections in the

results section.
4. Crayfish Internal Anatomy. Begin your
dissection by cutting along the suture lines
(cervical groove; Figure 5.3) between the head
and thorax of your specimen (use scissors).
Next, gently lift the carapace from the
underlying tissue as a left- and right-hand flap.
Note the structure of the underlying gills. Gently
tease the gills apart to note their association with
the walking legs (see also Fig 5.5). Use your
shears to remove the thin chitin covering to
expose the underlying organs. Note: You will be
entering the animal from the dorsal not from a
lateral view as shown in figure 5.6. Locate the
heart (it may still be attached to the carapace if
your were not gentle during your initial
dissection. If the heart is in place, your should
also be able to locate the pericardial sinus and
the dorsal arteries shown in figure 5.6. Remove
the heart and the remainder of the pericardial
sinus to fully expose the digestive glands (much
larger than shown in the figure) and two-part
stomach consisting of a cardiac and pyloric
section. If your animal is a female and is in

breeding condition, you may also find a black

mass (the ovaries). Spread the digestive glands
to expose the intestines and trace their origin at
the pyloric stomach. Remove the digestive
glands, intestine and stomach from the thoracic
cavity (snip the cardiac stomach so that the
esophagus remains attached to your animal).
Note the structure of the nervous system in your
animal. Locate the segmental ganglia and
paired ventral nerve cords. Follow the nerve
cord in an anterior direction to locate the
circumpharyngeal connective. Follow it
further to identify the star-shaped brain
plastered on the interior of the head between the
eyes. Note the various nerves running from the
brain to the various sensory structures of the
head. Locate the green gland, which serves as a
kidney in the crayfish. If you have difficulty,
first find the renal pore (Fig 5.4), and the green
gland will be located directly behind it. Note
also the paired muscles attached near to the
green gland. What is the function of these
muscles? Continue your dissection by opening
the abdomen. Why are the abdominal extensor
and flexor muscles of differing size?
E

H
I

A) TELSON

F) EYE

K) FIRST WALKING LEG

B) ABDOMEN

G) ROSTRUM

L) FORTH WALKING LEG

C) CARAPACE

H) ANTENNULES

M) SWIMMERETS

D) CERVICAL GROOVE

I) ANTENNA

N) UROPODS

E) MAXILLIPED

J) CHELIPED

Figure 5.3. Crayfish external anatomy.

A
B
C
D

A) ANTENNULE
B) ANTENNA
C) RENAL PORE
D) FIRST MAXILLIPED
E) PALP OF MANDIBLE
F) MANDIBLE
G) FIRST MAXILLA
H) SECOND MAXILLA
I) THIRD MAXILLA

E
F
G
H
I
Figure 5.4. Crayfish mouth parts and associated structures.
Figure 5.5. Biramous Appendages of a Crustacean.

A) UROPOD

J) OPTHALMIC ARTERY

R) CARDIAC STOMACH

B) DORSAL ABDOMINAL ARTERY

K) CEREBRAL GANGLIA

S) PYLORIC STOMACH

C) ABDOMINAL EXTENSOR

L) ROSTRUM

T) DIGESTIVE GLAND

D) INTESTINE

M) ANTENNULE

U) STERNAL ARTERY

E) VENTRAL NERVE CORD

N) ANTENNA

V) VENTRAL THORACIC ARTERY

F) OVARY

O) GREEN GLAND

W) GANGLION

G) PERICARDIAL SINUS

P) ESOPHAGUS

X) VENTRAL ABDOMINAL ARTERY

H) HEART WITH OSTIA

Q) CIRCUMESOPHAGEAL

Y) ABDOMINAL FLEXOR

I) ANTENNARY ARTERY

Z) TELSON

CONNECTIVE

Figure 5.6. Internal Anatomy of a Crayfish.

EXERCISE 5.4 Subphylum Uniramia.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Preserved Organisms: insects: preserved insects for display, grasshoppers, superclass Myriapoda:
preserved centipeds and millipeds for demonstration.
Prepared Slides: insects: prepared slides of chewing, piercing/sucking, siphoning, and sponging
mouthparts (display or available to each student), prepared slides of antenna types and slide of
honeybee legs (or preserved worker bees), demonstration slide(s) of insect tracheal systems.
Miscellaneous: compound microscopes, slides, slide covers, eyedroppers.

Members of the subphylum Uniramia have one pair of antennae and feeding appendages called
mandibles.
1. Superclass Hexapoda: The Insects. As previously mentioned, insects are the most successful of all
animal phyla. They differ from crustaceans by having a single pair of antennae (rather than two) and legs
based on a uniramus plan (with unbranched appendages). The exoskeleton, though similar in structure to
that of crustaceans, lacks significant calcium deposits. Characteristics that separate them from the other
arthropods include three pairs of legs and (usually) two pairs of wings. Examine the preserved and living
insects on display to appreciate the variability in their body plans and adaptations.

External Anatomy of Representative Insects (With Particular Attention to the Grasshopper).

Obtain a preserved grasshopper and locate the following structures. The body is divided into three
segments, a head, thorax, and abdomen.
The Head. Examine the head under a dissecting microscope paying particular attention to the
mouthparts, the three simple eyes (between the antennae) and the compound eyes. The grasshopper's
mouthparts are adapted for chewing. Compare the structure of chewing mouthparts to that of
piercing/sucking, siphoning, and sponging mouthparts on display. The antennae are sensory structures
with both mechanoreceptive (sense of touch) and chemoreceptive (sense of taste/smell) functions.
Compare their structure with that of other antennae on display.
The Thorax. Return your attention to the grasshopper. A close examination of the thorax will
show that it's really made up of three fused segments, each with a pair of legs. The most anterior segment
is the prothorax (followed by the mesothorax and metathorax. Although most sensory structures are on
the animal's head, the ear (tympanum) is located above the third leg of a grasshopper. Two pair of wings
are attached on the dorsal surface of the thorax. What differences can be seen in the structure of the
forewing and hind wing?. Which do you think is most important for flying (and why?; results section).
Examine a leg under a hand lens or dissecting microscope. The basal segment of an insect's leg is called
the coxa. This is followed by a short trochanter and the first long segment of the leg (femur). The tibia
(second long segment) is attached to the femur. Several short segments (a metatarsus and the tarsi) follow
the tibia and serve as a "foot". The legs of insects are excellent examples of the adaptation in form to
function.
The Abdomen. The segmentation of the abdomen is clearly visible. Locate the spiracles on each
segment. These pores serve as the entrances to the insect's tracheal system (used for respiration). If
available, review the demonstration slides of insect tracheae. The posterior portions of the abdomen are
modified as copulatory and egg-laying structures.

2. Superclass Myriapoda. Myriapods include the centipedes and millipedes (the term "Myriapoda" means
"many footed"). Like the insects, they are primarily terrestrial in habits, have a single pair of antennae,
uniramus appendages, and mouthparts based on mandibles. Unlike the insects, the myriapod body is
divided into only two segments, a head and trunk (instead of an insect's three segments- the head, thorax,
and abdomen) and the eyes are not as complex. The trunk segments may range from a few to more than a
hundred.

Class Chilopoda- the Centipedes. Centipedes have one pair of legs per body segment and poison
glands (most, however, are not dangerous to humans). They prefer moist places and feed on earthworms
and insects. Examine the centipedes on demonstration so that you can recognize their general structure.
Class Diplopoda- the Millipedes. Millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment and do not
possess poison glands. Like centipedes, they prefer moist habitats, but they are either herbivorous or
scavengers.

Figures For Dissections

Figure 1. Grasshopper Mouthparts

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Figure2.GrasshopperDissection

Figure3.BeeLegs

Figure4.RoachDissection1.

Figure5.RoachDissection2
____________________________________________________________________________

REPORT SECTION___________________________________________
Lab 5

(Name)

(Date/ Lab Section)

RESULTSANDDISCUSSION

EXERCISE5.1PrimitiveArthropodsTheExtinctTrilobita.
Makeasketchofafossiltrilobite
orplastercast.Labelthebody
regionsandanyotherstructures.

EXERCISE 5.2 Subphylum Chelicerata; Class Arachnida. Make a sketch of a

typicalspiderfromyourownobservationsand
labelasmanystructuresas
possible(includingtheleg
segments.

EXERCISE5.3SubphylumCrustacea.ExaminationofaLivingCrustacean:Daphnia.
Sketchawaterfleafromyourown
observations.Labelasmanystruc
turesaspossible.

EXERCISE 5.3. Make a sketch showing the range of movement for the various
jointsofacrustaceanleg.

EXERCISE 5.4. Sketch the structure of the central nervous system of a

crayfish.Labelasmanyoftheportionsaspossible.

EXERCISE 5.4 Subphylum Uniramia. External Anatomy of Representative Insect

(Grasshopper).
Makeasimplediagramofthejoint
segmentsofagrasshopper'sthird
(jumping)leg.Labeleachsegment.

Make any additional sketches required by your instructor in the following

spaces.
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