Question

Give an account of Phylum Arthropoda.

Answer 1

The phylum Arthropoda (Arthro- jointed; Podos-feet) contains the animals that have jointed appendages. They have the following characteristics:

1. It is the largest phylum of the animal kingdom.

2. These are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic and coelomate animals.

3. They have organ system level of organization.

4. Their body is covered with chitinous exoskeleton.

5. The body can be divided into head, thorax and abdomen.

6. They have open circulatory system.

7. They possess haemolymph.

8. Most of the arthropods have compound eyes.

Examples: Apis (honeybee), Bombyx (silkworm), King carb, cockroach, Anopheles (mosquito) etc.