Ecdysozoans are the largest group within the animal kingdom and comprises arthropods (insects, spiders, and crustaceans), as well as nematodes such as roundworms. All organisms in the Ecdysozoan superphylum have an exoskeleton and shed or molt that cuticle layer in order to grow. Unlike the animals in the Deuterostome Division, organisms within Ecdysozoa all develop the mouth first during embryonic development.
Meet the Members of the Ecdysozoan Division
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- Beach Hopper (Parhyale hawaiensis)
- Lobster (Homarus americanus)
- Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)
- Sea Spider (Pycnogonida pantopoda)
Explore the Other Divisions
What is MBL March Madness?
Based on the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament, during MBL March Madness, popular MBL organisms face off for your votes. YOU have the opportunity to decide what organism is crowned victorious by voting for your favorite organisms in a series of head-to-head match-ups. Voting will take place on the MBL social media channels.
Learn more and download a bracket at mbl.edu/march-madness