Why So Successful?
Why So Abundant?
Arthropods
Why So Successful?
Why So Abundant?
Fact:
There are more than 1 million
( 1x109)
different species
of arthropods
Fact:
for every one human,
there are 1 million
arthropods on Earth
1. Exoskeleton
2. Segmentation & Appendages
„ Strong
„ Variety of appendages ►
„ Flexible at the joints
efficient locomotion
Legs (walking, hopping, swimming)
Wings (flying)
2. Segmentation & Appendages
3. Efficient Respiration:
Air Piped Directly to Cells
„ Protective
„ Variety of mouth parts ►
many feeding patterns
„ O2 direct to muscles ► spiracles to tracheae
permits rapid movement
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4. Highly Developed Senses
5. Complex Behaviors
„ Touch E.g. antennae, sensilla
„ Smell / chemosensors
„ Hearing / Vibration E.g. tympanae (# 11)
„ Balance
Bee dances
„ Dance performed in hive
„ Pattern indicates distance &
1. Insect Societies
(division of labor)
2. Many innate behaviors
(genetically programmed)
permit survival
E.g.
* weaving of
spider webs,
* building of bee hives,
* bee dances
Bee Dance- Round Dance
„ This is used when the source of food (nectar
or pollen) is less than 100 meters away
direction of food source
Bee Dances- Waggle Dance
6. Metamorphosis
„ For food supplies more than 100 meters the
Two Types:
1. Incomplete
young look like mini
adults
egg →nymph
(instar)→ adult
E.g. grasshopper,
arachnids,
centipedes,
millipedes
waggle dance is used.
„
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7ijI-g4jHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf-hFMfumKI&feature=related
2
Metamorphosis
2. Complete
young do NOT look like
adults
egg → larva
→
pupa
(inside of cocoon/chrysalis)
→ adult
E.g. bees, butterflies,
moths, beetles
Why So Successful?
Why So Abundant?
What are six reasons that Arthropods are so
successful?
1. Exoskeleton
2. Segmentation & Appendages
3. Efficient Respiration
4. Highly Developed Senses
5. Complex Behaviors
6. Metamorphosis
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