What is the Difference Between Biramous and Uniramous Arthropods?

The key difference between biramous and uniramous arthropods lies in the structure of their limbs. Arthropod limbs can be either biramous or uniramous:

• Biramous limbs have two branches, with each branch consisting of a series of segments attached end-to-end. The external branch is known as the exopod or exopodite, while the internal branch is known as the endopod or endopodite. Crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters, typically have biramous limbs.
• Uniramous limbs have a single series of segments attached end-to-end without any branching. Insects, myriapods (e.g., centipedes and millipedes), and hexapods (e.g., ants and bees) have uniramous limbs.

For example, crustaceans like shrimps and crabs have biramous limbs, while insects, myriapods, and hexapods have uniramous limbs. The two branches of biramous limbs in crustaceans often serve different functions, such as the outer branch being a flattened gill and the inner branch being used for walking or modified for grasping, chewing, or reproduction.

Comparative Table: Biramous vs Uniramous Arthropods

The main difference between biramous and uniramous arthropods lies in the structure of their limbs. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences:

Biramous arthropods, like crustaceans, have limbs with two branches, each having a series of segments attached end-to-end. In contrast, uniramous arthropods have limbs with a single series of segments attached end-to-end, and they include insects and myriapods.