Arthropod Dissection
PAP-Biology
April 6, 2014 By Jackson Twyman
Caelifera (Grasshopper) and Astacoidea (Crayfish)
Crayfish like to live in freshwater that doesn't freeze over in the winter. Fish, birds, alligators, and people are the crayfish's predators. They eat the easiest food to find, like dead fish, insects, worms, and anything it can find. The crayfish scavenge off of the bottom of any fresh water body. The crayfish have pincers used to grab prey, and take pieces of meat off of dead material. Also, they have a strong tail used to get away from predators.
Objectives
Crayfish
Grasshopper
The Arthropods and I
Click for more information on arthropods.
Skeletal System
Skeletal System
Crayfish have an exoskeleton, that is broken up into three segments. These are the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. The thorax contains 4 pairs of walking appendages. The exoskeleton is made up of chitin, proteins, and lipids. Also, it is segmented allowing the crayfish to swim with ease. The crayfish has a cheliped which is used as scissors for defense. The exoskeleton provides homeostasis to the crayfish. Also, the skeletal system protects all of the other systems from being harmed by the outside world.
For more information on arthropod skeletal systems, click this link.
Arthropod Cladogram
Interesting Facts
When crayfish molt, they eat their old skeleton for the leftover protein. They are able to live from 20 to 30 years. Crayfish claws are able to grow back. Crayfish are cousins of the lobster. Crayfish are used for food by many people throughout the world for their good flavor.
Works Cited
http://10d.tripod.com/death2exams/id3.html
http://comparativeanatomybiology.weebly.com/grasshopper-anatomy.html
http://www.biologyjunction.com/grasshopper_dissection.htm