Classification:
All the major groups of Arthropods are Crustacea, Arachnida, Chilopoda, Diplopoda, and Insecta. Although those are only 5 listed there's about 25-30 actual classes. Actually, more than 83% of all described animal species are arthropods. Diversity: There are about 10 billion arthropods alive at one time. The number of Arthropods alone is greater than all the other animals combined. The many different kinds of oceanic Arthropods are shrimps, crabs, lobsters, prawns, water fleas, barnacles, and krill. Life History: A little more than half a billion years ago, during the Cambrian Period, life on Earth was dramatically different than it is today. Fossils from the Cambrian period give us clues to the origins of many types of animals today, including arthropods. The two major changes in Arthropods over the year are the fusion of segments into different body ares, and the specialization of appendages in different body regions. Ecological Roles: Arthropods are very beneficial for humans. The main importance of these species is their function in the food chain, and the direct economic benefits they make. They regulate the oceans and whats in it, by eating the unimportant and unwanted marine animals. Human Impacts: Humans use Arthropods in many ways, but one way they use is by using them as nourishment and a main food source. All arthropods are regularly eaten in society. Another way humans affect arthropods is by constantly polluting all the oceans they live in. Work Cited: http://tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehouse_id=3923 |