Hexapoda

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Class Insecta (insects)

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Unplaced orders:

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   Order Diplura

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   Order Collembola (springtails)

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   Order Protura

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The subphylum Hexapoda constitutes the largest (in terms of number of species) grouping of arthropods and includes the insects as well as a few much smaller groups of wingless arthropods closely related to insects: Collembola, Protura, and Diplura. The Collembola (or springtails) are very abundant in terrestrial environments. The term, hexapoda, alludes to having "six feet", the most distinctive feature of the group: a consolidated thorax with three pairs of legs. Most other arthropods have more than three pairs of legs.

Related Topics:
Arthropod - Insect - Collembola - Protura - Diplura - Springtail

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