Phylum arthropoda
The basics
Arthropods are all invertebrates with exoskeletons and segmented bodies. They have jointed appendages as indicated by their name which means "jointed leg". Their exoskeletons are made mostly of chitin, but crustaceans have biomineralized calcium carbonate exoskeletons. Since their exoskeletons dont grow with the arthropods they must moult when they grow. Arthropods are very old and are thought to be the first land animals. Arthropods are found all over the planet and consist of 75% of all living and fossil organisms. Arthropods have bilateral symetry, are coelomates and protostomes.
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