5 CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ARTHROPOD
5 CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ARTHROPODA A lobster's exoskeleton, segmented body and jointed appendages are clearly visible. Arthropods, members of the phylum Arthropoda, are a diverse group of animals including insecta, crustacea, arachnida, as diplopoda and chilopoda. The members of this phylum, despite their incredible diversity and sheer numbers, share a number of important distinguishing characteristics. 1. Exoskeleton Arthropods are invertebrates, which means their bodies do not have internal bones for support. To compensate for this, they produce a hard exoskeleton made of chitin, a mixture of lipids, carbohydrates and protein, which covers and protects their bodies like a suit of armor. As arthropods grow, they must shed or molt their exoskeletons. They first produce new, softer exoskeletons underneath the old ones. Once their hardened, old coverings crack and shed, they sport roomier, albeit soft, exoskeletons. Arthropods are incredibly vulnerable during the molting proce...