Polypède

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

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Polypède is a term used in biology to describe a type of organism characterized by having multiple legs or appendages. The term is derived from the Greek words "poly," meaning "many," and "pous," meaning "foot." Polypèdes are found across various taxonomic groups, including arthropods, annelids, and certain mollusks.

Classification[edit | edit source]

Polypèdes can be classified into several major groups based on their phylogeny and morphology:

Morphology[edit | edit source]

The morphology of polypèdes varies widely among different groups:

  • In arthropods, the appendages are typically jointed and may serve various functions such as locomotion, feeding, and sensory perception.
  • In annelids, the appendages are often bristle-like structures called setae or parapodia that aid in movement and respiration.
  • In cephalopods, the appendages are muscular and highly flexible, often equipped with suckers for grasping and manipulating objects.

Ecology[edit | edit source]

Polypèdes occupy a wide range of ecological niches:

Reproduction[edit | edit source]

Reproductive strategies among polypèdes are diverse:

Importance to Humans[edit | edit source]

Polypèdes have significant impacts on human life:

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD