Chapter 37, Problem 16STP

Summary Introduction

To write:

A hypothesis why arthropods have been so successful.

Introduction:

Arthropods first moved onto land about 400 million years ago and survived several mass extinctions. Many of the ancient insects were gigantic compared to present day ones.

Explanation of Solution

Arthropods are the first creatures that moved onto the land and had skeletons about half a billion years ago. They survived several mass extinctions. Many of the ancient insects were gigantic compared to present day ones. Mayflies were a 14 inch wing span, and they were giant six-winged, in which the first pair of wings had been already reduced to nubs but not eliminated in all present-day insects. The reasons for extinction are natural disasters and competition with other species was the main causes. The arthropods of the Carboniferous had moved onto the land and had taken to the air.