Explain two characteristics of arthropods that makes them most successful of vertebrates

1. Exoskeleton

2. Jointed appendages

Please find the explanation of the mentioned characteristics below

Explanation:

Arthropods are a group of animals that lack backbones i.e invertebrates but possess jointed legs. Arthropods as their name implies all belong to a large phylum called ARTHROPODA. They include insects, crustaceans etc. Due to their large number among other animal species, their outstanding variety etc, they are considered the MOST SUCCESSFUL animals.

This success of arthropods can be attributed to the characteristics they possess. Two of them are:

- EXOSKELETON: The outside skeleton possessed by members of these phylum supports their body, movement and general protection.

- JOINTED LEGS/APPENDAGES: Arthropods are virtually the only set of organisms that have jointed appendages giving them the adaptational ability to live and thrive in almost every habitat, if not all.

With the construction of a shopping center near the habitat of rabbits, there will be a significant decrease in the population because food resources and in general the ecological niche will be negatively influenced.

The carrying capacity in general is reduced because the maximum population size that the environment can support indefinitely in a given period is reduced as there is not enough availability of resources in the environment