A group of insects and other arthropods with jaws or mouthparts that project outward from the head rather than being recessed.
From Greek 'ekto-' (outside) + 'gnathos' (jaw). This taxonomic term describes arthropods with external jaw structures, distinguishing them from entognathans (those with recessed jaws), a fundamental division among arthropods.
Most insects you see are ectognathans—their jaws stick out visibly—while tiny springtails and similar creatures have hidden jaws, and this difference tells scientists how all arthropods are related.
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