Module 9 - Arthropods Flashcards
What is an Arthropod?
An Arthropod is an invertebrate with an exoskeleton, jointed legs/appendages and a body that is divided into sections.
What does aposematic coloration mean?
These bright colours (red, yellow and black) warn the potential enemy of poisonous secretion, a foul smell, a bite or a sting.
E. g. CMR Beetle or Grasshopper.
Why is a solifuge not a true spider?
Because of missing silk glands and missing venom glands.
How do millipedes protect themselves?
- They have a hard shell (integument), made of calcareous material;
- they roll up into a coil showing aposematic colouration;
- secreting toxic or repellent fluids from special glands.
What are characteristics of an insect?
1) 3 distinct body parts (head, thorax, abdomen)
2) 3 pairs of jointed legs
3) 2 pairs of wings
4) pair of compound eyes + simple eyes
5) single pair of antennae
6) external mouth parts
3 Lifecycles and stages
- Ametabolic (nymph looks like adult): Egg-nymph-Adult
- Hemimetabolic (nymph diferent from adult and in different habitat)
Egg-Nymph-Adult - Holometabolic (larva different from adult)
Egg-Nymph-Puppa-Adult
Why are insects succesful?
- Ability to fly
- Metaomorphic cycle (different resources)
- Modified mouthparts (lareg variety of foods)
- Social lifestyle
Why are insects important?
- Balance nature
- Food source
- Primary consumers (linkbetween plant and predator)
- Pollination
- Spread diseases to animals, humans and plants
- Waste removal
What are flying ants?
Termite kings and queens (alates)
Feeding behaviour of insects
- Chewing
- Sucking and chewing
- Piercing and sucking
- Biting
Importance of spiders in ecosystems
- Predators at top of food chain
2. Indicator species
Scorpion families
Scorpionidae (thin tail, big pedipalps, non-venomous bite)
Buthidae (thick tail, small pedipalpls, venomous bite)
