Explain the general characters of phylum Arthropoda. Give one example of following classes (i) Crustacea; (ii) Myriapoda; (iii) Insecta; (iv) Arachnida.

Characters of Phylum Arthropoda: This is the largest animal phylum.

(i) These animals are bilaterally symmetrical and segmented.

(ii) They are triploblastic and and coelomate animals.

(iii) They have organ-system level of organisation.

(iv) The body of arthropods is covered by chitinous exoskeleton.

(v) The body consists of head, thorax and abdomen.

(vi) They have jointed legs.

(vii) Respiratory organs are gills, book gills, book lungs or tracheal system.

(viii) Excretion takes place through malpighian tubules.

(i) Crustacea – Prawn (Palaemon);

(ii) Myriapoda- Scolopendra (Centipede)

(iii) Insecta- Musca (House fly)

(iv) Arachnida- Buthus (Scorpion)