External Morphology of Grasshopper
ABSTRACT
Morphology is inherent to an understanding of how insects live and function. Orthopteroid insects are good choices for this study because gross morphological features are readily observed. Like most other insects, the grasshopper (or other Orthopteroid) consists of three general body regions: the head, thorax and abdomen. For morphological studies, antennae were detached from the specimen. Then, the antenna was mounted in a glass slide. The prepared slides were then examined under magnoscope for studying the anatomical features. The grasshopper was illustrated and each part was properly identified. The most obvious and distinctive features of grasshoppers are their enlarged hind legs and their relatively short, thick antennae. The morphology of insects enables the phenomenal success of this class of arthropods. The high rates of speciation, short generations, and long lineage have caused insects to evolve in many ways, resulting in very large variations in morphology.
Keywords: morphology, Orthopteroid, speciation, lineage, variations
INTRODUCTION
Morphology is inherent to an understanding of how insects live and function. In contrast to anatomy which is the naming and description of the structural features of an animal, morphology includes the manner in which the parts have been derived, how they function and how they interrelate with similar structures in closely-related animals.
Orthopteroid insects are good choices for this study because gross morphological features are readily observed. Orthopteroids are considered primitive and demonstrate the basic body plan of most insects. Like most other insects, the grasshopper (or other Orthopteroid) consists of three general body regions: the head, thorax and abdomen. The abdomen is further subdivided into numerous somites and segments which are readily observed in the Orthopteroids but are often obscured in other insects. (Hariri, et al., 2001)
This study aims to observe and identify the
Morphology is inherent to an understanding of how insects live and function. Orthopteroid insects are good choices for this study because gross morphological features are readily observed. Like most other insects, the grasshopper (or other Orthopteroid) consists of three general body regions: the head, thorax and abdomen. For morphological studies, antennae were detached from the specimen. Then, the antenna was mounted in a glass slide. The prepared slides were then examined under magnoscope for studying the anatomical features. The grasshopper was illustrated and each part was properly identified. The most obvious and distinctive features of grasshoppers are their enlarged hind legs and their relatively short, thick antennae. The morphology of insects enables the phenomenal success of this class of arthropods. The high rates of speciation, short generations, and long lineage have caused insects to evolve in many ways, resulting in very large variations in morphology.
Keywords: morphology, Orthopteroid, speciation, lineage, variations
INTRODUCTION
Morphology is inherent to an understanding of how insects live and function. In contrast to anatomy which is the naming and description of the structural features of an animal, morphology includes the manner in which the parts have been derived, how they function and how they interrelate with similar structures in closely-related animals.
Orthopteroid insects are good choices for this study because gross morphological features are readily observed. Orthopteroids are considered primitive and demonstrate the basic body plan of most insects. Like most other insects, the grasshopper (or other Orthopteroid) consists of three general body regions: the head, thorax and abdomen. The abdomen is further subdivided into numerous somites and segments which are readily observed in the Orthopteroids but are often obscured in other insects. (Hariri, et al., 2001)
This study aims to observe and identify the
Cited: Hariri, M., Suhail A., et al. 2001. Description of Morphological Variation in Three Species of the Genus Oxya (Serville). Online Journal of Biological Sciences.