lesson 23.1

lesson 23.2

lesson 23.3

lesson 23.4

CHAPTER 23: Arthropods

23.1 ARTHROPODS

Introduction to the Arthropoda

How many arthropods have occupied Earth in its history? The answer waits for you at this University of California Museum of Paleontology page. Once you've read about the characteristics that unify all arthropods, click the systematics page to find out about their differences.

 

Introduction to the Onychophora

These segmented velvet worms seem to be related to the arthropods, even though they lack the tough outer skeleton of their closest relatives. Read more about these organisms at this University of California Museum of Paleontology page.

 

Tree of Life: Arthropoda

In addition to the great photographs of a multicolored grasshopper and a multi-eyed spider, this page features the phylogeny of different arthropod subphylums and links to further resources about the major groups of Arthropoda.

23.2 CRUSTACEANS

Crayfish

Read about the distribution and phylogeny of the world's crayfish at this Tree of Life site, sponsored by Brigham Young University.

 

Ocean Planet

This Smithsonian Institution exhibit explores humans' relationship to the sea. Find out more about the habitat and nutritional content of certain species, including:

• Brown Shrimp
• American Lobster

23.3 SPIDERS AND THEIR RELATIVES

Tarantulas

This outstanding interactive article from National Geographic's Web site lets you explore tarantula anatomy, life cycles, and diversity. This site contains many photographs, animations, and facts.

 

Introduction to the Cheliceramorpha

The Cheliceramorpha range from ticks to horseshoe crabs to the more familiar spiders. Learn about the fossil record, physical characteristics, and diversity of this order of arthropods from the University of California Museum of Paleontology Web site.

 

23.4 INSECTS AND THEIR RELATIVES

Introduction to the Uniramia

To learn more about the uniramia, visit this University of California Museum of Paleontology Web site. It describes the fossil record, phylogeny, and characteristics of this group, which includes the insects, centipedes, millipedes, and springtails.

 

Entomology Collection Catalogs

The University of California Museum of Paleontology has assembled links to insect collections all over the world. On this page, you'll find links for insect and spider collections from Belgium to Hawaii.

 

Tree of Life: Aphidomorpha

How do aphids give birth to their own "grandbugs?" Learn about the sexual life of aphids at this page from The Tree of Life, which is hosted by the Churchill College campus of Cambridge University.

 

23.5 ARTHROPODS IN THE BIOSPHERE

Amber: Nature's Preservative

Online science magazine The Why Files takes a look at amber, a preservative of ancient insects and other organisms. Read this article and learn why this plant resin is so valuable to scientists interested in the study of early organisms.

 

Sea Store

Learn about which foods, medicines, and other products are derived from the sea in this page from the Smithsonian's Ocean Planet Exhibit.

• Read Drugs, Dressings, Diagnostics to find out how crabs and shrimp have helped surgeons.
• What's the second most consumed seafood after tuna fish? Find out in SEA Foods, which also includes recipes for shrimp cocktail and steamed lobsters.
• What shellfish product is used in everything from moisturizer to violin varnish? Discover the answer in SEAcrets.
  

 

Creepy Crawlies

Take a look at the tiny arthropods living in your house and on your body by exploring this NOVA site.