Ecdysozoan/Panarthropod Basics
The process of molting in Ecdysozoans.
What is ecdysis?
This structure is used to pierce the plant or animal cells that the tardigrade plans to eat.
What is the stylet?
These two organs derive from the midgut and aid in excretion and osmoregulation.
What are Malpighian tubules?
These appendages are used by velvet worms to shoot slime out at unsuspecting prey items.
What are the oral papillae?
Baby velvet worms will either hatch from a laid egg or be birthed live.
What is oviparity and viviparity?
All ecdysozoans excrete this from their epidermis.
What is the cuticle?
This region of the digestive system aids in the suction of food items into the muscular pharynx.
What is the buccal tube?
A state of reduced metabolism, used to withstand harsh, intense conditions. Tardigrades become especially hardy, able to withstand vacuums, acidity and aridity.
What is cryptobiosis?
Velvet worms are the only extant phylum in which every species lives in this environment.
What is the terrestrial environment?
Hatched baby velvet worms look like miniature versions of the adults.
What is direct development?
Panarthropod cuticles are made of this substance.
What is chitin?
This is used to secrete digestive enzymes.
What are the salivary glands?
Tardigrades undergoing cryptobiosis.
What is the tun state?
Velvet worms will have separate sexes.
What is gonochorism?
Slime is produced here.
What is the slime gland?
Ecdysis is triggered by this molting hormone.
What is ecdysone?
These chitinous rods line the pharynx and are used for mastication.
What are placoids?
This is a previously molted cuticle, in which 1-30 eggs would be laid into.
What is the exuvium?
This is a type of respiratory system used in onychophorans and many terrestrial arthropods.
What is the tracheal system?
The time it takes for velvet worms to gestate.
What is 1.5 years?
All three panarthropod phyla derive from this Cambrian group.
What are Lobopodians?
In tardigrades, this is lined by their chitinous cuticle.
Tardigrades will be born and die with a fixed number of cells.
What is eutely?
This excretory system is repeated in each of the velvet worm's leg pairs.
What are nephridia?
The first group of animals to have developed compound eyes.
What are trilobites?