Coleoptera and Exoskeleton

 

All the species are divided into kingdoms, family, genus, class, sub-class etc, for the sake and ease of dividing, categorizing and identifying. The class “Insecta” is divided into two parts namely “Pterygota” and” aptrygota”. (Pterugotus means wings in Greek).Coleoptera is the scientific name for beetles. There are about 400,000 species of beetles are the largest (order) group of insects. Their larvae are also known as “Grubs”. Adults have a pair of wings unlike grubs. Their front wings are called “Elytra”, are specially hardened and fit over the hindwings like a case. The fact that they use for protecting and covering their hindwings instead for flying. Beetle fighting is a sporting activity and mostly associated with gambling thus making authorities/government declared it as illegal. (Insect battling is strictly prohibited in many countries.)

To name a few : -

• Hercules beetle is one of the largest beetle species with a whopping length of 19 cm (7.5 inches). It has a single horn.
  
  
  
  
• Goliath beetles are one of the heaviest beetles on earth whose grubs weighs about 100 grams !!
  
  

  
  
  
• Jewelled frog beetles grow up by feeding on plant stems and on tree trunks.
  
                                     
  
  
• The Great Diving Beetles are found in ponds and streams, where it swims with it’s black legs that work like a pair of oars. They eat tadpoles and even some small fishes. They generally measure up to (10 cm) 4 inches long.

Beetles has one of the toughest exoskeletons of any known insect. They prey on smaller insects, dust and dung and have a strong shell of beautiful patterns, colors and textures.

Speaking of Exoskeleton

A rigid external covering for the body in some invertebrate animals to be put in simpler way it is also called as “Outer Skeleton”. A normal skeleton system is made up of hard bones and cartilages whereas an exoskeleton is made up of scales, cuticle and shells.

Some animals have both Exoskeleton and Endoskeleton. For example tortoises' skeleton system is mainly divided into two Exoskeleton(carapace and plastron) and Endoskeleton (Internal bones)

Crabs also have exoskeleton but what makes them stunning is they can leave/molt their shell/exoskeleton and search for new one. Molting is the process by which animals shed their skin, fur, feathers, or exoskeleton. Crabs leave their exoskeleton after it grows a new one inside. 

In humans, Severe spinal cord injuries and other illnesses can make walking difficult or even impossible.

American company EKSO Bionics has designed a powered exoskeletal suit to help with these problems. Originally intended to give workers super strength when lifting heavy loads, the suit is now used to help wheelchair users regain the motor skills they need to walk independently. 

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------------------------------------------ Maanavendra Roy ------------------------------------------

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To know more about a tortoises' skeletal system

Blue crab molting
To know more about EKSO Bionics