Marine Arthropods Flashcards

Marine Arthropods Overview

• Arthropods were the first animals to transition from water to land.
• This diverse group includes more members than any other oceanic group.

Advantages of Jointed Legs

• Jointed legs enhance mobility, allowing adaptation to various environments.
• They provide stability and function as shock absorbers.
• Legs offer extreme flexibility and a wide range of motion.

Sensory Adaptations

• Antennas are primary sensory organs used by arthropods to interact with their environment.
• Arthropod eyes are among the first capable of sharp image formation.
• Legs contribute to sensory perception and awareness of surroundings.

Exoskeleton Benefits

• The exoskeleton provides external support and acts as body armor to protect internal organs.
• The molting process is necessary for growth, as the exoskeleton must be shed to allow for a larger new shell.

Molting Process

• As a crab grows, the new exoskeleton develops underneath the old one, which cracks due to pressure.
• Crabs can break free from their old shell in less than 30 minutes.

Shell Hardening

• A newly formed arthropod shell takes approximately 2 days to harden completely, during which appendages strengthen.

Adaptations in the Arms Race

• Arthropods have thrived by modifying jointed appendages for increased mobility and developing a protective exoskeleton that shields them from predators.

Hydrothermal Vent Crabs

• Hydrothermal vent crabs are an example of arthropods that have adapted successfully to cold marine environments.
• These crabs are characterized by their small size and nearly translucent appearance.