from greek: arthron (joint) and pous (foot)
German: Gliederfüßer
Arthropods are a phylum of the animal kingdom. They are invertebrates with a chitinous exoskeleton and characteristically sectioned body segments and legs. Some species are of medical relevance since they can act as vectors (transmitters of infections), parasites or be poisonous.
The taxonomy of arthropods is, especially with regards to molecular biological aspects, subject to constant alterations. That is why the following listing of the most important groups (taxa) of arthropods does not have any claim to completeness or accuracy with regard to the latest revisions of zoological research.
Internal classification according to Pschyrembel - Klinisches Wörterbuch (261. edition), including the most important characteristics:
Pentastomida are parasites that inhabit the respiratory tracts of certain vertebrate animals.
Numerous mites are ectoparasites and are considered to be vectors of diseases (i.e. ticks transmistting tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) or lyme disease).
Other insects are poisonous animals such as wasps and bees.
Some arthropods or parts of them are being used for the manufacturing of homeopathic agents. Examples for this are cantharis (as an aphrodisiac), Blatta orientalis, tarantula.
This page was last edited on 1 March 2018, at 09:04.
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