INTRODUCTION TO ARTHROPODA

- Extremely diverse (1 million described species, 30 – 50 million estimates)

- Probably the most abundant phylum in the world in terms of individuals (NOTE:
Copepods are the most abundant species.)
- General Characteristics of Arthropoda
1. Tagmatization or Tagmosis
o Regional specialization of body segments
o Tagma (pl. Tagmata)
2. Exoskeleton
o Also called the cuticle
o Used for structural support, protection, prevention of water loss, muscle
attachment for locomotion
o Chitinous
 embedded with calcium carbonate for crustaceans
 modified through Sclerotization to produce Sclerotin in order to toughen
up the exoskeleton of insects
3. Appendages
o Jointed limbs
4. Ecdysis (molting)
o The exoskeleton (like the cuticle of a nematode) needs to be shed from time to
time in order to make room for growth.
5. Ventral Nervous System
o Contrary to chordates with a dorsal nervous system
6. Open Circulatory System
o Contains a fluid called the hemolymph in which nutrients and immune functions
are delivered and performed
o Has a structure called the hemocoel which is an internal cavity
o Unlike vertebrates, the hemocoel and hemolymph do not play a major role in gas
exchange but rather the tracheal system which consists of multiple holes at the
side of their body where air enters
7. Complete Digestive Tract
8. Metamorphosis
o Change in body form as an organism matures
 o Example in Crabs: Eggs > Zoea Larva > Megalopa Larva > Juvenile > 20 molts >
Adult > Sponge Crab (females with eggs or sponges)

TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF SUBPHYLA UNDER ARTHROPODA

- NOTE: Possible classification into 2 major groups [UNRANKED CLADES] – Mandibulata

(Hexapods, Myriapods, Crustaceans) and Arachnomorpha (Trilobites, Chelicerates)
1. Trilobitomorpha (Extinct)
o Died around 250 million years ago
o 3 Tagmata: Head, Thorax, Pygidium
2. Chelicerata
o Presence of chelicerae (specialized
feeding structure)
o Pedipalps – grasping, capture of prey, transfer of
sperm
o Examples: Spiders, Ticks, Mites
o 2 Tagmata: Prosoma, Opisthosoma
o Dioecious (male and female organs are found in different individuals)
o Notable Major Groups:
1. Class Arachnida
1. Order Scorpiones (Scorpions)
2. Order Araneae (True Spiders)
3. Order Solifugae (Camel Spiders (False Spiders))
4. Order Opiliones (Harvestmen or Daddy Longlegs)
5. Order Metastigmata (Ticks and Mites)
6. Order Sarcoptiformes, Trombidiformes (Mites)
2. Class Pycnogonida (False Spiders)
1. Order Pantopoda (Sea Spiders)
3. Class Xiphosura (Horseshoe Crabs)
3. Crustacea
o 3 Tagmata: Head, Thorax, Abdomen (Fusions may occur)
o Notable Major Groups:
1. Class Malacostraca (Crabs, Lobsters, Crawfishes, Crayfishes, True Shrimps)
2. Class Maxillopoda (Copepods, Barnacles)
 4. Myriapoda
o Examples: Centipedes (1 pair of legs per segment), Millipedes (2 pairs of legs
per segment), etc.
o Numerous legs
o 2 Tagmata: Head, Trunk
o Notable Major Groups:
3. Class Chilopoda (Centipedes)
4. Class Diplopoda (Millipedes)
5. Hexapoda (6 – “Hexa”, Feet – “Poda”)
o 6 legs
o 3 Tagmata: Head, Thorax, Abdomen
o Presence of Antennae in the head
o NOTE: Not all members of Hexapoda are insects.
o Notable Major Groups:
1. Class Insecta (Insects)
1. Order Odonata (Dragonflies)
2. Order Orthoptera (Grasshoppers)
3. Order Dermaptera (Earwigs – notable for forklike caudal ends)
4. Order Mantodea (Mantises)
5. Order Hymenoptera (Bees)
6. Order Blattodea (Cockroaches, Termites (previously under Class
Isoptera))
7. Order Hemiptera (True Bugs)
8. Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Moths)
9. Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
10. Order Diptera (Flies and Mosquitos)
2. Class Entognatha (Example: Springtails under Subclass Collembola)
 Retractable mouth parts inside their heads (Inside – “Ento”, Jaws –
“Gnatha”)

INTRODUCTION TO ECHINODERMATA

- 7,000 known species

- Either slow moving or sessile
- Exclusively marine
 - General Characteristics of Echinodermata
1. Bilateral Symmetry – Pentaradial Symmetry (can be split into 5 symmetrical halves)
2. Presence of ossicles
o Embedded in the body wall
o Made of calcium carbonate (for structural support)
3. Pedicellariae
o “Pincers” embedded outside
o Not all have such (these are most notable in starfishes and sea cucumbers)
o Used for cleaning the body (removing dirt and algae, fighting off parasites)
4. Well-defined coelom
5. No excretory and respiratory system, reduced circulatory system
o Water vascular system (for sea stars) – gas
exchange, nutrition, locomotion
 Water enters through the madreporite,
goes through the stone canal, and into
the ring canal (found in the central
canal) which stretches to the various
radial canals.
6. Distinct oral and aboral surfaces
o External Anatomy of Oral Surface (in contact with sand
or substrate)
 Mouth (center of the organism)
 Ambulacral groove (lines the surface)
 Mouth Angle Plates
 Tube Feet
o External Anatomy of Aboral Surface
 Anus (not all have anuses such as brittle stars)
 Madreporite (small bump near the anus)

BODILY PROCESSES AND FUNCTIONS

- Feeding, Digestion, and Excretion

o Predatory (sea stars in general prey on bivalves)
 o filter feeders (crinoids and sea cucumbers – the flowery structure at the end
(mouth area) captures food)
o detritivores, herbivores, omnivores
o Complete digestive system (mouth to anus (except brittle stars))
o Secretes wastes through anus and diffusion (brittle stars – diffusion and mouth)
- Reproduction
o Dioecious, sexually dimorphic (males that differ from females in terms of
anatomical features)
o Usually, external fertilization occurs

TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF CLASSES UNDER ARTHROPODA

1. Class Asteroidea
o Example: Linckia laevigata (Blue Sea star)
o True Sea stars (“aster” – star in Latin)
2. Class Ophiuroidea
o Example: Brittle stars, Basket Stars
o Snake-like arms with multiple spines
(“Ophiuro” – snake-like in Latin)
o Brittle stars – significant regenerative
abilities
3. Class Echinoidea
o Example: Diadema (Black Sea urchins with long spines)
o Sea urchins (“Echino” – spines)
o Most sea urchins carry venom (may be deadly or unpleasant
depending on the species) .
4. Class Holothuroidea
o Example: Sea cucumbers
o When threatened by predators, a lot of
species would vomit out their organs.
5. Class Crinoidea
o Example: Sea lilies
o Generally sessile and attached to a substrate
o Uses and waves arm in order to catch food particles