Arthropods: Phylum Arthropoda

The Jointed Feet

Animals in the Phylum Arthropoda are considered Arthropods. This name origonates from the Greek, arthron, "joint" and podos "foot". The jointed-feet as it were, includes insects, arachnids, and crustaceans to name a few. They are characterized by their jointed limbs that are made from α-chitin. 

Body Plan

The body plan of arthropods is composed of repeated segments. Each segment has a pair of appendages.  

Diversity

Partly due to their body plan, arthropods are a very versitile group. They comprise more than 80% of all described species.  In fact there are over 1 million described so far, with new ones being discovered all the time.