Analyzing Arthropods
Robert Corpening - PAP Bio- Ms Vu- P. 2
Objectives
Readers will learn about the background of arthropods, as well as the similarities between the groups of arthropods. Readers will also analyze the respiratory systems of grasshoppers and crawdads.
Exoskeleton Experience
Arthropods, belonging to the phylum Arthropoda, can live in most environments, such as oceans, freshwater farms, and terrestrial environments such as fields. The predators of arthropods are diverse, but in the case of crayfish, birds and large fish prey upon them, and they are omnivores, consuming both insect larvae and plant matter. Grasshoppers prey upon grains and other plant matters, and are eaten by many mammals and small birds. Most Arthropods are secondary consumers in their ecological environment. Arthropods such as grasshoppers and crayfish have a true coelom and, another important development, they have an exoskeleton.
Recognizing the Respiratory System
Crawfish and grasshoppers each have very similar respiratory systems, but one of the key differences is that crawfish have gills, large feathery substances containing blood vessels to expose blood to oxygen, whereas grasshoppers use spiracles, holes opening into the body, to gain oxygen. Once inside, grasshoppers have tracheal tubes which direct air into the bloodstream.
Interesting Information
Arthropod Facts
There are four groups of arthropods: chelicerates, crustaceans, hexapods, and myriapods. Grasshoppers create the sound identified as that similar to crickets when trying to clean themselves. Crayfish go by the names Crawdad, and Crayfish. Crayfish are mainly only eaten by jawed or bony fishes. Finally, crawdads have gone up in price for the past 5 years, as farms are having a tougher time to set an adequate temperature, therefore there are fewer crawdads on the market.
Cross-Unit Content
Arthropods generally are both primary and secondary consumers. They evolved most likely from mollusks, with the key difference being their own exoskeleton. The human impact of grasshoppers includes, occasionally, a feed for chickens, and a type of delicacy in South American countries. Crayfish are a traditional dish in many cultures, including that of Louisiana. On a taxonomic scale, Crawdads are in Phylum Arthropoda, Class Malacostraca, Order Decapoda, Family Astacoidea. Grasshoppers are of the Phylum Arthropoda, Class Insecta, order Orthoptera.