Category: Invertebrates
This class of invertebrates has a chitinous skeleton, a three part body (consisting of a head, thorax, and abdomen), six pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and a pair of antenna. They are an incredibly diverse group of animals with more than a million described species that represent more than half of all living organisms. Their growth is constrained by an inelastic exoskeleton that must be shed (molted) in order for them to increase in size. Insects display a staggeringly diverse array of adaptations, from walking on water (water striders), to communicating with light (lightning bugs), and sound (crickets), to complex social behaviors (termites).
Rub some dirt on it!
Could it be we have been too good at ridding our bodies of parasitic worms? Believe it or not, our efforts at keeping squeaky-clean and sanitary in the developed world may be contributing to increased allergies, asthma, psoriasis, even autoimmune diseases. The human immune system, having evolved with parasitic worms, recognizes them, and has learned to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing when these tiny intruders are sensed. While getting worms may be seen as too high a price to pay for many, for people suffering from severe allergies or colitis, it may be worth it. Victims of multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease have shown a promising reduction in symptoms (even remission in Crohn’s) after ingesting whipworm eggs - a treatment that may be worth it to some until a cure is found!
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
