Biology 251: Lecture 1Fall 1996

Phylum Arthropoda

  1. Taxonomic review
    1. Major divisions of classification
      Kingdom Animalia
      Phylum Arthropoda
      Class Hexapoda (Insecta)
      Order Orthoptera
      Family Acrididae
      Genus Romalea
      Species microptera
    2. Binomial nomenclature (Linnaeus)

  2. Facts and figures

  3. Characteristics
    1. Segmented body
    2. Paired segmented appendages
    3. Bilateral symmetry
    4. Chitinous exoskeleton
    5. Tubular alimentary canal
    6. Open circulatory system
    7. Hemocoel = body cavity
    8. Nervous system arrangement
    9. Striated skeletal muscle
    10. Malpighian tubules = excretory organ
    11. Gills/tracheae/spiracles = respiratory organ
    12. No cilia/nephridia
    13. Dioecious

  4. Classification

  5. Phylogeny
    Segmentation
    Chitinous exoskeleton
    Jointed legs
    Chelicerata/2 tagmata
    Mandibles
    Labium
    3 pairs of legs/3 tagmata

  6. Economic/medical importance


"The best way to destroy an enemy...is to make him a friend."
Author unknown