What fundamental difference distinguishes woodlice (Crustacea) from insects regarding antennae?
Answer
Possessing two pairs of antennae
Woodlice belong to Subphylum Crustacea, and a defining characteristic of this group, which separates them from insects (Subphylum Hexapoda), is the presence of two pairs of antennae. Insects, conversely, possess only one pair. Although these antennae can be highly reduced or specialized in terrestrial crustaceans like woodlice, the retention of two pairs remains a crucial taxonomic marker linking them to their aquatic relatives like crabs and shrimp. This feature is a key element used for general identification when differentiating between these two major arthropod subphyla.
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