Fun Facts:

• The phylum Arthropoda is the most diverse! This phylum has the largest number of different species.

• Arthropods are found on every continent and make up about 80% of all animal species.

• Arthropods have to molt, meaning they shed their exoskeleton and grow a new one.

• Arthropods are extremely adaptable as they can live in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. Some are parasitic and others can fly!

• Fruit flies were the first living creature sent to space.

Key Characteristics:

• Segmented: body is segmented and divided into distinct regions.

• Body: has an exoskeleton made of chitin as an outer protective covering.

• Function: have jointed appendages for feeding, walking, swimming and sensing.

• Respiration: have respiratory organs such as gills (aquatic), trachea (insects), and book lungs (arachnids). 

• Organ Systems: have specialized organs for excretion (getting rid of waste), respiration (breathing), and circulation (heart pumping blood through the body). 

• Symmetry: bilateral

Arthropods Explained!