Branchiopoda Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What types of animals are branchiopoda?

Brine shrimps and fairy shrimps.

What type of environment does most branchiopoda live in?

Mostly freshwater.

What body part of branchiopods are used for respiration and swimming?

The thoracic coxa is enlarged and flattened for swimming and respiration.

The body of branchiopods is covered by _____; only which branchiopod has it?

bivalve carapace; only fairy shrimps have it. Signup and view all the answers

What do branchiopods have for seeing?

They have compound eyes - fused pair of compound eyes in some. Signup and view all the answers

What do branchiopoda eat, and how are they important to other animals?

They are an important component of zooplankton that feed on algae and are a food source for many animals. Signup and view all the answers

What traits and characteristics do branchiopoda have that allow them to live in saline or ephemeral environments?

They have desiccation-resistant eggs and high salt-tolerance. Signup and view all the answers

What are zooplankton?

Little animals that drift around and eat phytoplankton. Signup and view all the answers

What are phytoplankton?

Photosynthetic little animals that drift around. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Branchiopoda Overview

Branchiopoda includes animals like brine shrimps and fairy shrimps.
Primarily inhabit freshwater environments.

Morphological Features

Enlarged and flattened thoracic coxa aid in respiration and swimming.
Bodies are often covered by a bivalve carapace; only fairy shrimps possess this feature, while brine shrimps do not.

Sensory Structures

Possess compound eyes; some species have a fused pair of compound eyes for enhanced vision.

Ecological Role

Serve as a crucial component of zooplankton, primarily feeding on algae.
Act as an important food source for many aquatic animals.

Adaptations

Possess desiccation-resistant eggs, enabling survival in saline or ephemeral habitats.
Exhibit high salt-tolerance, allowing habitation in diverse environments.

Zooplankton and Phytoplankton

Zooplankton are small animals that drift in water and consume phytoplankton.
Phytoplankton refers to photosynthetic organisms that also drift in aquatic environments, forming the base of the aquatic food web.

Description

Test your knowledge on Branchiopoda with these flashcards. Learn about the types of animals in this class, their environments, and unique physiological features. Perfect for students studying aquatic arthropods.