How many body segments characterize organisms placed in Class Malacostraca?
Answer
Nineteen body segments
Woodlice are classified within Class Malacostraca, a broad grouping that includes many familiar marine organisms as well as terrestrial species. A defining characteristic used for classification at this level is the standardized body plan, which involves nineteen total body segments. These segments are traditionally organized into two main regions: the cephalothorax, which is a fusion of the head and thorax, and the abdomen. Furthermore, this class typically possesses nineteen pairs of appendages corresponding to these body segments.
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