Key Concepts of Arthropoda, Deuterostomia, and Chordata

These flashcards cover the key vocabulary and concepts related to the phyla and classifications within the animal kingdom, focusing on Arthropoda, Deuterostomia, and Chordata.

Phylum Arthropoda

A phylum characterized by segmented bodies, hard exoskeletons made of chitin, molting for growth, and paired, jointed appendages.

Chelicerates

One of the major lineages of arthropods, including spiders and scorpions that have chelicerae, or claw-like mouthparts.

Myriapods

A major lineage of arthropods that includes millipedes and centipedes, characterized by numerous body segments.

Pancrustaceans

A lineage of arthropods that includes crustaceans and insects, believed to share a common ancestor.

Crustaceans

A subclass of Pancrustaceans, includes lobsters, crabs, and shrimp, often with specialized appendages.

Insects

A class of Pancrustaceans characterized by three body regions: head, thorax, and post-genital region, and complex organ systems.

Complete Metamorphosis

A developmental process in insects that includes stages of larva, pupa, and adult.

Deuterostomia

A group of animals including phylum Echinodermata and phylum Chordata, characterized by radial cleavage and formation of the anus from the blastopore.

Echinodermata

Phylum that includes slow-moving marine organisms with spiny coverings, such as sea stars and sea urchins.

Chordates

Animals that possess a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, and pharyngeal slits; major groups include vertebrates and two invertebrate lineages.

Notochord

A flexible rod-like structure that provides support in all chordate embryos and is present in some adults.

Tetrapods

Gnathostomes with limbs, evolving traits for life on land, including four limbs, a neck, and absence of gills.

Amniotes

Tetrapods with adaptations for terrestrial life including the amniotic egg, which contains protective membranes.

Monotremes

Egg-laying mammals like the platypus, with milk secreted from abdominal glands.

Marsupials

Pouched mammals like kangaroos that give birth to immature young that continue developing while nursing.

Eutherians (Placental Mammals)

Mammals that retain their young in the uterus until mature, attached via a complex placenta.