Phylum Arthropoda: Definition, Characteristics, Classification and Examples
Phylum Arthropoda (Gr., arthros = jointed ; podos = foot) is the largest and most diverse group of animals in the animal kingdom, characterized by their segmented bodies, jointed appendages, and exoskeleton made of chitin. This phylum includes insects (e.g., butterflies, beetles), arachnids (e.g., spiders, scorpions), crustaceans (e.g., crabs, lobsters), and myriapods (e.g., centipedes, millipedes). Arthropods play essential ecological roles, such as pollinators, decomposers, and as part of the food web.