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CLASSIFICATION OF ARTHROPODA

Phylum Arthropoda is further classified into 4 distinct Sub-phyla: 

  • Trilobitomorpha

  • Chelicerata

  • Mandibulata

  • Onychophora

  1. TRILOBITOMORPHA

  • Extinct species.

  • Oval body composed of 3 lobes.

  • All segment except the last segment possesses the biramus appendages.

  • A pair of segmented antenna present on the head.

  • Ex- Dalmanites

   2. CHELECERATA

  • Body is divisible into cephalothorax and abdomen.

  • Antennae and mandibles are absent.

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Sub-phylum Chelicerata is again divided into 3 different classes, which are as follows:

   1. MEROSTOMATA

  • Marine animals.

  • Abdomen with appendages modified into gills.

  • Telson present at the posterior end of the body.

  • Compound eyes are present laterally at the anterior end. 

  • Ex- Limulus.

   2.  ARACHNIDA

  • They may be terrestrial or aquatic.

  • Telson may or may not be present.

  • Anterior half of the abdomen bears a dorsal tubular heart.

  • Simple eyes are present.

  • Ex- Spiders, Scorpions etc. 

   3.  PYCNOGONIDA

  • Small sized sea spiders.

  • Body bears large cephalothorax and small abdomen.

  • Excretory and respiratory organs are absent.

  • 8 pairs of walking legs are found.

  • Ex- Nymphon.

   3.  MANDIBULATA

  • Body is divisible into head, thorax and abdomen.

  • Head possesses segmented appendages which includes one or two pairs of antennae, a pair of mandible and one pair of maxilla.

  • In addition to compound eyes, simple eyes or occeli are present.

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Sub-phylum Mandibulata is again divided into 6 different classes, which are as follows:

   1.  CRUSTACEA

  • Mostly aquatic forms.

  • Exoskeleton is made up of chitinous cuticle consisting of calcium carbonate & calcium phosphate.

  • Body is divisible into cephalothorax and abdomen.

  • Head bears 2 pairs of antennae, one pair of mandible and two pairs of maxillae.

  • Respiration occurs through gills.

  • Ex- Prawn. 

   2.  DIPLOPODA

  • Most of them are terrestrial, but some are aquatic.

  • Exoskeleton is calcified.

  • Body is divisible into head, thorax and abdomen.

  • Respiration is carried out by unbranched tracheae.

  • Ex- Julus.

   3.  CHILOPODA

  • Terrestrial animals.

  • Exoskeleton is uncalcified.

  • Body is divisible into head and trunk.

  • Respiration takes place by tracheae.

  • Ex- Scolopendra.

   4.  SYMPHYLA

  • Terrestrial animals, found mostly in agricultural habitat.

  • Body is divisible into head and trunk.

  • Head bears one pair of antennae, one pair of mandible and two pairs of maxillae.

  • Respiration takes place by tracheae.

  • Ex- Symphylella.

   5.  PAUROPODA

  • Terrestrial in habitat, mostly found in soil and litter habitat.

  • Body is divisible into head and trunk.

  • Eyes are lacking.

  • Respiration by general body surface.

  • Ex- Pauropoda. 

   6.  INSECTA

  • Mostly terrestrial, some are aquatic.

  • Body is divisible into head, thorax and abdomen.

  • Chitinous exoskeleton is present.

  • Respiration is generally by tracheae.

  • Fertilization is internal.

  • Ex- Cockroach.

   4.  ONYCHOPHORA

  • Terrestrial in habitat.

  • These are the primitive, vermiform, unsegmented animals.

  • Single pair of antennae, eyes and jaws are present.

  • Numerous stumpy, unjointed clawed legs are found.

  • Ex- Peripatus.

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