Describe the Skeleton of an Arthropod

An arthropod is an invertebrate and this group contains many species including spiders, centipedes, insects, crayfish and shrimp. They all share a common ancestor and they all share common characteristics relating to their body build.

Segmented Body

An arthropod's body is divided into segments, which attach to each other to allow the creature to move and function. Arthropods, such as spiders, can have as little as two segments or as many as dozens of segments, such as the millipede.

Bilateral Symmetry

If you would draw a line straight down the middle of an arthropod the two halves would look exactly alike. They are considered bilaterally symmetrical, meaning one side is a mirror image of the other side.

Hard Exoskeleton

Arthropods don't have bones on the inside of their bodies for support. They have a hard shell on the outside, formed from chitin, which acts as support and protection for their vital organs.

Multiple Limb Pairs

Although some have more than others, all arthropods have numerous pairs of limbs. Some species of arthropods have adapted to having only a few pairs of appendages on each side, but other species still have many pairs.

Jointed Appendages

All arthropods move on jointed legs, having two or more segments. This is actually how they were named because arthro means joint and pod means foot.

References

• Butterfly School
• Introducing the Arthropods