Unit One: Arthropod Classification Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive vocabulary review of Unit One covering arthropod classification, subphyla, classes, arachnid orders, and general biological concepts.

Classification

The process of organizing organisms into groups based on their similarities and evolutionary relationships.

Taxonomy

The science of naming, describing, and classifying organisms.

Carolus Linnaeus

A Swedish scientist who developed a standardized system for naming and classifying organisms; often called the 'Father of Taxonomy.'

Binomial nomenclature

A system established by Carolus Linnaeus in which each species receives a two-part scientific name consisting of Genus + species.

Exoskeleton

A hard external skeleton that surrounds and supports the body, primarily made of chitin and proteins in insects.

Endoskeleton

An internal skeleton that supports the body, such as the skeleton found in humans.

Molt

The process of shedding an exoskeleton that an animal must undergo in order to grow.

Entomophagy

The consumption of insects as food.

Flagship species

A species that attracts public attention and support for conservation because people find it interesting, beautiful, or culturally important.

Umbrella effect

Occurs when protecting one species and its habitat also protects many other species living in the same area.

Cephalothorax

A body region formed by the fusion of the head and thorax.

Prosoma

The term used for the cephalothorax in spiders.

Chelicerata

An arthropod subphylum characterized by chelicerae, no antennae, and usually four pairs of walking legs.

Arachnida

A chelicerate class that includes spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, and related organisms.

Merostomata

A chelicerate class that includes horseshoe crabs.

Araneae

An arachnid order (spiders) characterized by two body regions, eight legs, spinnerets, and silk production.

Scorpiones

An arachnid order (scorpions) characterized by large pincers and a segmented tail with a stinger.

Acari

An arachnid order (mites and ticks) characterized by small size and body regions that are often fused or difficult to distinguish.

Opiliones

An arachnid order (harvestmen/daddy longlegs) characterized by very long legs and broadly joined body regions.

Pseudoscorpiones

An arachnid order (pseudoscorpions) characterized by tiny size, pincers, and no tail or stinger.

Solifugae

An arachnid order (camel spiders/sun spiders) characterized by large chelicerae, fast-running predatory habits, and no venom glands.

Crustacea

An arthropod subphylum that is usually aquatic, possessing mandibles, biramous appendages, and usually two pairs of antennae.

Myriapoda

An arthropod subphylum characterized by one pair of antennae, many body segments, and many legs.

Hexapoda

An arthropod subphylum characterized by three main body regions, three pairs of legs, and one pair of antennae.

Chilopoda

A class of Myriapoda (centipedes) characterized by one pair of legs per segment, a flattened body, and predatory behavior.

Diplopoda

A class of Myriapoda that includes millipedes.

Malacostraca

A class of crustaceans that includes crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish.

Decapoda

A crustacean order characterized by five pairs of walking legs (10 legs), one pair of claws/chelae in many species, and a cephalothorax covered by a carapace.

Isopoda

A crustacean order that includes pill bugs, sow bugs, and related crustaceans.