Understanding Evolution

Your one-stop source for information on evolution

Understanding Evolution

The Arthropod Story

Home → The Arthropod Story → Tools for success: The exoskeleton and the jointed limb → Arthropod adaptability

Arthropod adaptability

Limb specialization is not confined to the crustaceans. We find it throughout the arthropod lineage. Here are some examples:

grasshopper
Grasshoppers have legs adapted for jumping.
bee
Bees have legs adapted for carrying pollen.
louse
Lice have legs adapted for grasping hair.
centipede head
A centipede’s first pair of legs is modified into large poison fangs.
spider in a web
Many spiders have legs well-suited to grasping delicate webs.
water strider
The legs of a water strider are adapted to support its body on the surface of water.

Grasshopper photo provided by Robert Potts © California Academy of Sciences; Bee photo provided by Scott Camazine; Louse image © Vince Smith; Centipede head photo provided by Chao Jui-lung; Spider photo provided by Dr. Lloyd Glenn Ingles © California Academy of Sciences; Water strider photo provided byGiff Beaton

Arthropods have developed mouthparts that were once legs. Learn more at Extreme adaptations: Eating with your feet.

Previous

Crustaceans: Adapting the arthropod limb layout

Next

Opportunity knocks, but does not respond to need