Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Crustacea Section

Arthropod Diversity and Evolution

Outline

Theme:

Arthropods have more different shapes and species than any other group of animals. They arose in the ancient Precambrian seas over 600 million years ago, and today still reign as the most abundant animal group in our midst. Although many arthropods are microscopic some are over 12 feet long. They inhabit nearly every habitat and are extremely important ecologically. Without arthropods our species would cease to exist.

Goals:

Give students a better understanding and appreciation of:

• the important role arthropods play in the environment,
• how the scientific method works,
• how biological evolution has generated all the life that we see,
• arthropod species and morphological diversity, and
• how scientists are deducing arthropod evolutionary relationships.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the five-week session students will be able to:

• name the major groups of arthropods,
• identify their distinguishing characteristics,
• explain how biological evolution works,
• describe how biologists deduce evolutionary relationships, and
• summarize some of the key ecological, medical, and economic roles arthropods play in the environment.

Assessment:

• oral presentation,
• participation,
• web project, and
• arthropod jeopardy.

Outline

(Subject to Change)