Arthropodan

/ɑrˈθrɑpədən/ adjective

Definition

Of, relating to, or characteristic of arthropods; describing creatures or features that belong to the arthropod phylum.

Etymology

From Arthropoda + -an (forming adjectives meaning 'of or relating to'). Similar in meaning to arthropodal, this variant emerged in zoological literature as an alternative descriptor.

Kelly Says

The 'arthropodan' body plan—with its jointed limbs and segmented construction—is so effective that it's been the dominant animal design for 500 million years; if we rated animal designs by market share, arthropods would own 80% of the market.

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