Classification of Phylum Arthropoda

Phylum Arthropoda is mainly classified into six subphyla. They are:

Crustacea

Crustacea, the subphylum of Arthropoda consists of mostly marine or sea animals. Even though, some creatures of this phylum like crayfish and sow bugs live in fresh water and on land. Respiration in Crustacea happens through their gills and their surface. Their development is done through the larva stage. Crustacea have five pairs of appendages and two pairs of antennae. Excretion in Crustacea is done through antennal glands. Large Crustaceans are mostly dwelling and tiny Crustaceans like copepods are important as zooplankton because they are food for many large organisms.

Example of Crustacea

• Crab
• Copepod
• Daphnia
• Palaemon
• Shrimp

Crustacea sub-classes:

•  Ostracoda
•  Cephalocarida
•  Remipedia
•  Malacostraca
•  Branchiopoda
•  Maxillopoda

Chelicerata

These are mostly terrestrial animals. Arachnida is the class in subphylum Chelicerata with the most number of species like spiders, mites, and scorpions. These animals mostly live on land under stones, in leaves, and in vegetation. There are some animals, that live in fresh water and oceans. Excretion in these animals is done through Malpighian tubes. In chelicerates Antenna is absent and the abdomen is divided into thirteen segments. Respiration in Chelicerata is done through their gills and trachea.

Example of Chelicerata

• Araneae
• Limulus  
• Horseshoe crab

This subphylum is divided into three types:

•  Arachnida
•  Merostomata
•  Pycnogonida

Hexapoda

The organisms belonging to the subphylum Hexapoda are mostly terrestrial animals. Their body is categorized into three parts, head, abdomen, and thorax. Hexapoda has a pair of compound eyes. Excretion in these animals is done through Malpighian tubes. Respiration in Hexapoda is done through their gills and trachea. The abdomen is divided into 7 to 11 segments. Hexapoda has three pairs of appendages. Their development is indirect and there is a larva stage in the development of hexapods.

Examples of Hexapoda

• Ants
• Mosquitoes
• Tabernus

Hexapoda subphylum is divided into two classes.

•  Insecta
•  Entognatha

Myriapoda

Animals of the Myriapoda subphylum are mostly terrestrial animals. Respiration in Hexapoda is done through the trachea. Excretion in these animals is done through Malpighian tubes. Animals in this phylum have any number of legs. These animals have antennae on their head. Their body has numerous segments.

Example of Myriapoda subphylum

• Scolopendra
• Julus

Myriapoda is divided into four classes

• Symphyla
• Diplopoda
• Pauropoda
• Chilopoda

Onychophora

These arthropods are very small in size and most terrestrial animals. Onychophora’s body has small segments. Nephridia help in excretion and the trachea helps in respiration.

Examples of subphylum Onychophora

• Hallucigenida
• Peripatidae
• Peripatus

Trilobitomorpha

These arthropods are extinct. They are not present on the earth today. Scientists found them in the Paleozoic era. The bodies of these arthropods are divided into three lobes, two lateral lobes, and one median lobe. Their bodies mainly consist of three parts. They are the head, thorax, and pygidium.

Examples of subphylum Trilobitomorpha

• Trilobite
• Raphiophorida
• Kjerulfia

Phylum Arthropoda is the largest phyla of the animal kingdom. Arthropoda is a Greek word, which means joint foot. The Phylum Arthropoda characteristics include a chitinous exoskeleton, segmented bodies, jointed appendages, and a well-developed nervous system. The Phylum Arthropoda examples include insects, arachnids, and myriapods. In this article, we will cover Phylum Arthropoda characteristics, examples, and their more in detail.